The Safavid Empire was founded in the 16th century by Shah Ismail I in the region between the Ottoman Empire and India. It became an important Islamic empire along the trade route until its power declined due to a lack of strong leadership succession. Key events included Ismail I establishing the empire and converting the region to Shi'a Islam, military losses to the Ottomans causing Ismail to withdraw, and the ruler Abbas reconquering lost lands and developing architecture during the empire's height of power before it eventually weakened without capable heirs to lead.
8. • Lost to a larger Ottoman force
• Ismail withdrew from an active role in
government after this loss
9. • A rival family leader replaced the Safavid ruler
with his 16 year old son Abbas
10. • He reorganized the army and conquered land
that had been taken from the Safavids
• Great builder of religious architecture, royal
palaces and public buildings
It grew out of a boy’s desire to avenge the murder of some of his family
Ismail and his family belonged to the Safavid clan. A rival clan killed his father and older brother. This murder resulted in Ismail’s becoming the head of his family at the age of seven. To survive, he went into hiding until he was twelve. Then he began his military career by leading forces to take revenge on those who murdered his father. Once he had exacted his vengeance, Ismail’s fame quickly spread and he gathered supporters. Ismail continued to seize territory and began to build a state.
Ismail had reputation of being invincibleMade it vulnerable to internal struggles and attack from neighboring states
