The Safavid Empire and Shi’ite Islam

I. Introduction: The Sunni / Shi’ite Divide

A. Caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali

B. Death of Husayn (680 CE)

II. Origin of the Safavid Empire

A. Safi al-Din (1252-1334)

B. Ismail (ruled 1501-1524)

C. Battle of Chaldiran (August 1514)

1. Outcome of the Battle

2. Consequences for Shi’ite Faith

III. Consolidating the Safavid Empire

A. Shah Abbas I (ruled 1587-1629)

B. Turkish Nobles vs. Persian Nobles

C. Russian “Janissaries”

IV. Height of the Safavid Empire

A. Adopting Persian Traditions

B. Culture and the Capital (Isfahan)

C. Promotion of Shi’ite Faith – Mullahs

V. Trade: Safavid and Ottoman Comparison

A. Role of the Imperial Workshops

B. Trade and Diversity

VI. Rapid Decline of the Safavid Empire

A. The Problem of Poor Leadership

B. The fall of Isfahan (1722)

VII. Conclusion

Key Terms

Sufi mystics

Shi’ite Islam

Safavids

Safi al-Din

Ismail

Shah Abbas I

Isfahan

mullahs

---

back to the syllabus.