Safavid dynasty, (1501–1736), ruling dynasty of Iran whose establishment of Twelver Shiʿism as the state religion of Iran was a major factor in the emergence of a unified national consciousness among the various ethnic and linguistic elements of the country.

Ismāʿīl I, also spelled Esmāʿīl I, (born July 17, 1487, Ardabīl?, Azerbaijan—died May 23, 1524, Ardabīl, Safavid Iran), shah of Iran (1501–24) and religious leader who founded the Safavid dynasty (the first Persian dynasty to rule Iran in 800 years) and converted Iran from the Sunni to the Twelver Shiʿi sect of Islam.

The Safavid Empire was a theocracy. The state religion was Shi’a Islam. All other religions, and forms of Islam were suppressed. The Empire’s economic strength came from its location on the trade routes. The Empire made Iran a centre of art, architecture, poetry and philosophy.

Iran
The Safavids ruled from 1501 to 1722 (experiencing a brief restoration from 1729 to 1736) and, at their height, they controlled all of what is now Iran, Azerbaijan Republic, Bahrain, Armenia, eastern Georgia, parts of the North Caucasus, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, as well as parts of Turkey, Syria, Pakistan.

ʿAbbās I. ʿAbbās I, byname ʿAbbās the Great, (born Jan. 27, 1571—died Jan. 19, 1629), shah of Persia from 1588 to 1629, who strengthened the Safavid dynasty by expelling Ottoman and Uzbek troops from Persian soil and by creating a standing army.

Like most Iranians the Safavids (1501-1722) were Sunni, although like many outside Shi’ism they venerated Imam Ali (601-661), the first of the 12 Shia imams.

The following articles and videos explore seventeenth-century Iran through the reign and legacy of one of its most influential rulers, Shah ‘Abbas I (reigned 1587–1629).

Safavid dynasty, ruling dynasty of Iran from 1501 to 1736, known especially for its architectural achievements and its establishment of Twelver Shi’ism among various ethnic and linguistic groups throughout Iran as a major unifying factor. The dynasty began as a Sufi order but evolved into a major gunpowder empire.

The Safavid Empire, although driven and inspired by strong religious faith, rapidly built the foundations of strong central secular government and administration. The Safavids benefited from their geographical position at the centre of the trade routes of the ancient world.

Safavid Trade. – Shah Abbas promoted Isfahan (Safavid capital) as a commercial center, extending trading privileges to foreign merchants and even allowing Christian monastic orders to set up missions there to help create a favorable environment for trade. -European merchants sought Safavid raw silk, carpets, ceramics, and high-quality craft items.

The Safavid Empire lasted from 1501-1722. It covered all of Iran, and parts of Turkey and Georgia. The Safavid Empire was a theocracy. The state religion was Shi’a Islam. All other religions, and forms of Islam were suppressed. The Empire’s economic strength came from its location on the trade routes.