WHAP - Safavid Empire

Gunpowder Empire

  • RUled over three major Gunpowder empires

  • Ruled over territory of modern Iran, extended into parts of Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan

  • Rival of Ottoman empire

  • Shah Ismail I in 1501

  • Conquered Persia through military campaigns, including its capital Tabriz

  • Shia Islam is official state religion

    • created a distinct identity separate from sunni ottoman empire

    • forced conversion of sunni populations

Military

  • Modern military tech

  • Ghulams, Tradition Qizilbach cavalry, artillery and musket infantry

  • Military training reforms

  • european military advisors

  • development of domestic arms industry

Economics and Traded

  • strategic location on silk road

  • silk production and trade, tectiles and carpets, ceramics and metal work

  • international teade relations, european trading companies

    • traded w ottoman despite conflicts

    • mughal empire

    • russian empire

Cultural/Artisic achievements

  • Architecture:

    • Shah mosque

    • Ali Qapu Palace

    • Chehel Sotoun PAlace

    • Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square

  • Arts:

    • Persian miniature paintings

    • Calligraphy

    • Carpet weaving

    • Literature and poetry

Urban Life and Society

  • City development:

    • planned cities, public spaces, Bazaars and trade centers

Golden Age

  • Shah Abbas I: prominent ruler

    • military reforms

    • centralization

    • economic growth

Relations

  • Ottoman Empire: Religious Rivalry (sunni v. Shi’a)
    - territorial disputes
    - trade competition

  • European Powers:
    - Diplomatic Relations