Safavid empire (jan 1, 1501 – jan 1, 1737)

Description:

Gunpowder empire (Shia Islam)
shah=ruler of Iran

*had no navy, and lacked natural defences
*Ismail had a strict adherence to Shia Islam, causing problems with Ottoman Empire. Also was one of the main catalyst for Shia: converted many people.
*fighting between these two groups kept both from becoming major threat to Europe
*Eventually becomes a theocracy as shahs came to control religion and politics, using Shia to back up legitimacy

Decline:
Ineffective leaders after shah Abbas (ruled at peak) live lavish lifestyles and spend too much on military, leading to a weak economy. In 1722, a rebellion started by oppressed Sunnis in Afghanistan, and they eventually sacked Isfahan (capital) and Mahmud declared himself shah. This resulted in chaos that hurt centralization and tax collection, ultimately allowing the Ottomans and the Russians to take advantage of their weakness and seize territory.

The Savafid Dynasty was replaced by the Zand Dynasty in 1760.

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