Safavid Empire (23 dic 1501 año – 23 dic 1726 año)

Descripción:

Location: around current-day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Iraq

Origins: religious order that became militarized
- Persian Kurds (Azerbaijan) who adhered to Sufism (mystical Islam) later converted to Shi'ism
- conquered areas around modern-day Iran and became the most powerful force in the region

Ismail: leader of Safavids who was declared "Shah" (king) and founded the empire


Expansion

Fought against Ottoman Sunni Muslims for territory
- never extended beyond modern day Iraq/Iran

Empire reaches peak during reign of Shah Abbas (1588-1629)
- moves capital to Isfahan
- becomes center of international, culture, & learning
- somewhat tolerant of other religions

Practiced cultural blending (*similar to Ottomans)


Decline

Begins to decline in the 1600s after Ottoman threat subsides
- kings (Shahs) no longer invest in military
- become corrupt and weak, power shifts to Shia religious leaders

Empire invaded and Shah overthrown in 1726 by Afghan groups
- Shah army was weak- could not stop them

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