Safavids

Safavids (pronounced safavies) are one of the most notable of the Turkic families and tribes. In 1501, their regime was established in Azerbaijan. They ruled over Persia, from the early 16th century to the early 18th century. The dynasty was founded by Shaikh Safi of Ardabil in the 14th century. His descendant Ismayil established his capital in Tabriz, in South Azerbaijan and then other prominent cities of both Azerbaijan and Iran. He accepted Shia Islam and this ignited lengthy struggles with the sunnite Ottoman Empire. Ottomans and Safavids Turks fought over the fertile plains of Iraq for more than 150 years. After the capture of Baghdad by Ismail I, Suleiman I (the Magnificient) regained this city in 1534. After several campaigns, Safavids recaptured Baghdad in 1623 and lost it again to Murad IV in 1638, during which time, a permanent border was established by treaties, which is still valid between present Turkey and Persia. Gradually declining in 17th and early 18th century, the Safavid rule ended in 1722, after the execution of Shah Sultan Hosain by an Afghan rebel army led by Mir Mahmud, who opposed conversion from Sunni to Shi'a Islam. After an interregnum period of almost 70 years, Nadir Shah prevented the occupation of Persia by Ottoman and Russian armies. The empire finally collapsed after his assassination in 1747 and was soon replaced by another Turkic dynasty Qajars in 1794.

Safavid Shahs of Azerbaijan and Iran

\n*Ismail I 1502-1524\n*Tahmasp I 1524-1576\n*Ismail II 1576-1578\n*Mohammed Khodabanda 1578-1587\n*Abbas I 1587-1629\n*Safi 1629-1642\n*Abbas II 1642-1667\n*Suleiman I 1667-1694\n*Soltan Hoseyn I 1694-1722\n*Tahmasp II 1722-1732\n*Abbas III 1732-1736\n*Suleiman II 1749-1750\n*Ismail III 1750-1765 \nCategory:Baghdad Category:Ottoman Empire Category:Persia