Safavid Iran was the empire founded by Shah Ismail I, who proclaimed himself ruler at Tabriz, and who made Twelver Shia Islam the state religion, a decision that shaped Iran's identity ever after. The dynasty came from a Sufi order in Ardabil and drew support from Turkoman tribal warriors, the Qizilbash. Its greatest ruler was Shah Abbas I, who moved the capital to Isfahan, reformed the army with firearms, and encouraged trade and the arts. The Safavids fought long wars against the Ottomans and Uzbeks. The dynasty weakened in the early eighteenth century and fell when Afghan Ghilzai forces captured Isfahan in 1722, and the last Safavid ruler was displaced by Nader Shah.
Before and after
- from 1500 to 1785Khanate of Bukhara
- from 15th century to 16th centuryRise of Manueline
- 24 February 1500Birth of Charles V
- from 1501 to 1736Safavid dynasty
- from 1501 to 1736Safavid Iran
- 1501Birth of Ana Bolena
- 1 January 1502Birth of Gregory XIII
- c. 1500sMona Lisa
- 14 December 1503Birth of Nostradamus
More in Civilizations & archaeology
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- from c. 1583 to 1997British Empire
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- 29 March 1693Founding of Curitiba
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.