Liao+Empire3

[|Example] [|Example] Safavid Persia was a dynasty of Persia that ruled from 1501-1736. They where the first dynasty to have the Shia variant of Islam as its official religion.
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The Safavid dynasty was made by the kizilbash (also known as "red heads" because the whore red bandanas) who tried making Shia the official religion many times (against the Sunni which is the largest denomination of Islam). Many times they failed at doing this and where killed off until they won and made the Safavid dynasty.

Their empire was a bit bigger than current day Iran (in the same spot). Their capitol was Isfahan. The two most famous kings during this dynasty where Isma'il I and Abbas I. -- Their flag:

Social Their culture has alot of mosaic art, architecture, and poetry: >Their most popular poetry is "ghazal", an example: http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/ghazal.htm >Example or architecture: >Example or art: http://www.art-arena.com/safavidart.htm

>Grand Mullah Youssef Nima was a king of Sfavid. He was effectively given a wide range of power within the iranian religious community. >Abbas become king in 1576, named the greatest ruler of Sagfavid.

Political >They often traded silk for silver (1600- 1730)

King Isma'il wanted to conquered the entire Muslim World. And so they went to war with the Ottoman Empire and Transoxiana (Ottomans and Uzbeks). Ottomans are west of Safavid Persia and control Turkey and the surrounding area and the Uzbeks are neighbors to the North East. However not much success: the Ottoman firearms tore up the kizilbash calvary and the Uzbeks successfuly deafeted Safavid in Central Asia and turned the tables. Then Isma'il died and his son was to young to be a good ruler. However the eventually recovered. >Their military mostly used kizilbash calvary and infantry with fire arms.

Religious King Isma'il, apointed as the first king of Safavid by the kizilbash, 's first act was to make Shia the Official religion (rather than Sunni which it was). This was the first dynasty to make Shia the official religion. Similar to other school of thought in islam, Shia Islam is based on the teachings of the Islamic holy book, the Qur'an and the message of the final prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Shi'ites as thier called (Shia followers) believe that Caliph (Top islam prophet) should be of royal blood while the Sunni believe the Caliph should be voted on. These two beliefs have fought each other ever since the creation of Islam. Abu Bakr was the first Caliph and was selected the Sunni way. Since most subjects were Sunni making Shia official religion was ill advised, however to their surprise they gained alot of support from people who where hiding their beliefs until now. Issma'il also attracted the support of the enemies of Sunni Muslim state.

Intellectual Lots of poetry and writings. Some examples of writers are: Samarkand, Abu-Abdullah ja'far Rudak; Made Iran center of art, architecture, poetry and philosophy. Go back to Social for more details. >Art in the safavid court:

Technological They improved architecture and writing, other than that not alot of Technological improvements happend during the Safavid rule. >No interest in buildingagricultural economy for the same reactions as the Ottomans. >Paintings Metal work, textures and carpets reached new height of perfection.

Economic Safavid's farming was poor and so they gained most of their economical wealth through trading. They traded silk fabrics from the north & Intricate deep-pile carpet, along with silk. When Abbas' was king he greatly improved the economy. He was responsible for bringing skilled Chinese potters to improve their pottery trade and revolutionizing persian carpets.

>Subsistence farming and herding major employment. >No significant manufacturing sector to speak of. >They also had a land grand grant system with the Kizilbash for mounted warriors. (Like the romans)

Bio of Important Leaders: Isma'il was the first King, appointed by the kizilbash. He wanted to conquer the entire Islam world and so went to war with the Ottomans and Uzbeks.

Downfall of the Safavid Empire: Along with being enemies with the Ottomans and Uzbeks they gained two more enemies: Russians and the "Golden Horde". They suffered from countless raids from all frounts until they lost alot of their territory. Then, immediately after king Nadir Shah's assassination in 1747, the Safavids were re-appointed as shahs of Iran.

__Citations:__

> 1. Matthee, Rudi. "Encyclopaedia Iranica". Encyclopaedia Iranica. July 28, 2008 .

> 2. Ghasemi, Shapour. "History of Iran: Safavid Empire 1502 - 1736". Iran Chamber Society. October 13, 2009 . > 3. "BCC - Religion & Ethics - Safavid Empire (1501-1722): Introduction". BBC News. July 28, 2008 .

> 4. Holt, Rinehart, Winston. World History: Continuity & Change. Austin: Harcourt Brace & Company

> 5. "Khorasan, land of the sun". Copyright © 2005-2006 www.khorasanzameen.net .

> 6. Londinium "Age of Renaissance -> The Safavid Persian Empire" invisionfree.com, Oct 7 2005 .

> 7. "The Middle East l Encyclopedia.com" Encyclopedia.com, December 1, 1996 <http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-18988325.html>.