Chapter 8 The Muslim Empires Section 2 The Rule of the Safavids.

Chapter 8Chapter 8The Muslim EmpiresThe Muslim Empires

Section 2Section 2

The Rule of the SafavidsThe Rule of the Safavids

Rise of the Safavid DynastyRise of the Safavid Dynasty

1616thth Century – the Safavids took control of Century – the Safavids took control of the area extending from Persia into central the area extending from Persia into central Asia.Asia.

They were Shiite Muslims.They were Shiite Muslims.


Shah Ismail founded the Safavid dynasty.Shah Ismail founded the Safavid dynasty.Descendant of Safi al-Din, who led the Descendant of Safi al-Din, who led the

Turkish ethnic groups in Azerbaijan, near Turkish ethnic groups in Azerbaijan, near the Caspian Sea, in the early 14the Caspian Sea, in the early 14thth century. century.

Shah IsmailShah Ismail


1501 – Ismail seized much of Iran & Iraq.1501 – Ismail seized much of Iran & Iraq.Called himself the shah (king) of a new Called himself the shah (king) of a new

Persian state.Persian state.He sent Shiite preachers into Anatolia to He sent Shiite preachers into Anatolia to

convert Turks in the Ottoman Empire.convert Turks in the Ottoman Empire.Massacred Sunni Muslims when he Massacred Sunni Muslims when he

conquered Baghdad in 1508.conquered Baghdad in 1508.


Ottoman ruler Selim I won a major battle Ottoman ruler Selim I won a major battle against them near Tabriz.against them near Tabriz.

Within a few years, Ismail regained control Within a few years, Ismail regained control of Tabriz.of Tabriz.

Safavids tried to use the Shiite faith as a Safavids tried to use the Shiite faith as a unifying force.unifying force.

The shah & sultan claimed to be the The shah & sultan claimed to be the spiritual leader of Islam.spiritual leader of Islam.


Ottomans attacked in 1580s conquering Ottomans attacked in 1580s conquering Azerbaijan & controlling the Caspian Sea.Azerbaijan & controlling the Caspian Sea.

Abbas, the Safavid shah, signed a peace Abbas, the Safavid shah, signed a peace treaty & lost a lot of territory.treaty & lost a lot of territory.

The Safavid capital moved east from The Safavid capital moved east from Tabriz to Isfahan.Tabriz to Isfahan.

Glory and DeclineGlory and Decline

Safavids reached their high Safavids reached their high point under Shah Abbas point under Shah Abbas (1588-1629).(1588-1629).

Created a system similar to Created a system similar to the Ottoman’s & strengthened the Ottoman’s & strengthened his army with the latest his army with the latest weapons.weapons.


Early 17Early 17thth century, with the help of century, with the help of European allies, Abbas moved against the European allies, Abbas moved against the Ottomans to regain territories.Ottomans to regain territories.

Had little success, but in 1612 a peace Had little success, but in 1612 a peace treaty returned Azerbaijan to their control.treaty returned Azerbaijan to their control.

The dynasty lost strength after Abba’s The dynasty lost strength after Abba’s death (1629).death (1629).


The pressure to conform to traditional The pressure to conform to traditional religious beliefs, or religious orthodoxy, religious beliefs, or religious orthodoxy, increased and curbed the empire’s increased and curbed the empire’s intellectual freedom.intellectual freedom.

Persian women were now forced into Persian women were now forced into seclusion and forced to adapt the veil.seclusion and forced to adapt the veil.

Persian VeilPersian Veil


Afghan people seized the capital of Afghan people seized the capital of Isfahan in the early 18Isfahan in the early 18thth century. century.

Safavid rulers retreated to their earlier Safavid rulers retreated to their earlier homeland, Azerbaijan.homeland, Azerbaijan.

Turks seized territories and Persia sank Turks seized territories and Persia sank into a long period of political and social into a long period of political and social anarchy.anarchy.

Political StructuresPolitical Structures

Mixed society of Turks & Persians.Mixed society of Turks & Persians.Turks were nomadic peoples.Turks were nomadic peoples.Persians were farmers and townspeople.Persians were farmers and townspeople.


Pyramid-shaped political system.Pyramid-shaped political system.

ShahShah

BureaucracyBureaucracy

Landed classes Landed classes

Common People Common People


Shiism was the state religion.Shiism was the state religion.Shahs were surprisingly available to their Shahs were surprisingly available to their

subjects, even eating meals with them.subjects, even eating meals with them.Most shahs controlled 2 things:Most shahs controlled 2 things:

Power of the landed aristocracyPower of the landed aristocracyBringing many lands under their controlBringing many lands under their control


Appointment to the bureaucracy was by Appointment to the bureaucracy was by merit, not birth.merit, not birth.

Shahs were active in trade & Shahs were active in trade & manufacturing.manufacturing.

Large, affluent middle class also Large, affluent middle class also participated in trade.participated in trade.

Most goods traveled by horse or camel.Most goods traveled by horse or camel.The Safavid Empire was not as The Safavid Empire was not as

prosperous as the Ottoman or Mogul.prosperous as the Ottoman or Mogul.

Safavid CultureSafavid Culture

Knowledge of science, medicine, and Knowledge of science, medicine, and math under the Safavids equaled that of math under the Safavids equaled that of other societies.other societies.

Arts blossomed under Shah Abbas.Arts blossomed under Shah Abbas. Isfahan was a grandiose planned city.Isfahan was a grandiose planned city.Silk & carpet weaving based on new Silk & carpet weaving based on new

techniques flourished.techniques flourished.

Persian CarpetPersian Carpet

Safavid CultureSafavid Culture

Riza-i-Abbasi was the most famous artist Riza-i-Abbasi was the most famous artist of the period.of the period.

Painted simple subjects.Painted simple subjects.Soft colors and flowing movements were Soft colors and flowing movements were

dominant features of the period.dominant features of the period.

End of Section 2End of Section 2

Next:Next:

The Grandeur of the MogulsThe Grandeur of the Moguls

Chapter 8 The Muslim Empires Section 2 The Rule of the Safavids.

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