The Safavid empire, located in the center of Iran, is known widely for their Islamic adaptation culturally speaking and their complicated interactions with neighboring empires. The Safavids have definitely created enemies, as well as allies, during their power reign over the span of multiple centuries. The Safavids have faced defeat in addition to walking away from battle victoriously. Through this constant loop of failure and success the Safavids have managed to build a long lasting empire that has made an impression on Iranian history as well as world history. From trade interactions and military alliances to the overall building of a generally successful civilization, the Safavids and their relations with other empires of this time period
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At only twelve years old, he began leading armies and capturing lands, furthering his reign within the land. He later declared independence from a neighboring territory ruled by the Ottomans, spreading central power, specifically within the military. Under the power of Shah Ismail, the religion of the Safavids officially became Shia Islam. In later years, under a new ruler, Shah Abbas, Persia was opened to the wider world using the Persian Gulf ("Safavid Empire aka Persia”). Based on their geographical position, the Safavids, in order to be a strong Persian country, had to build a strong military, as they were located directly between the Mughals and the Ottomans. The Ottomans specifically were almost constantly competing with the Safavids for new lands to build their empire, Caucasus and Mesopotamia. In addition, their religious differences also set them apart as the Ottomans were Sunnis and the Safavids entitled themselves Shia Muslims. Their religious differences were so large that the Safavids began destroying holy places of the Sunni's as that religion was seen as evil. This rivalry grew so great that under the Safavids there was even an official, called the kalifat al-kolafa, whose sole purpose was to create anti-Ottoman propaganda (“Encyclopaedia …show more content…
Specifically, four small wars within this territorial battle erupted, beginning in 1532. Within this first war, the Ottomans gained large parts of Mesopotamia (Iraq), and parts of other countries including Armenia, while the Safavids maintained the possession of their lands, specifically their capital, Tabriz. Soon after, in 1577, battle between the two empires became continuous, as the Ottomans began the attacking in aim of capturing Caucasus. Multiple supporting tribes of the Safavids surrendered, for personal protection. In 1590, a peace treaty was signed, with the exception that religious propaganda come to an end. Still continuing, the Safavids regained their lands in 1603, including Baghdad, Caucasus, and Mesopotamia. The Persian army had reached a peak with their newfound triumph. The closing battle between the two regions occurred in 1623, where battle became idol seeing as the Persians could not push very far into the Ottoman Empire. Soon, Baghdad and Mesopotamia were regained by the Ottomans and the drawn out wars were closed in 1639. It was not until 1639 that a peace treaty was signed, and honored, to the point of no further warfare ("Ottoman-Safavid
At only twelve years old, he began leading armies and capturing lands, furthering his reign within the land. He later declared independence from a neighboring territory ruled by the Ottomans, spreading central power, specifically within the military. Under the power of Shah Ismail, the religion of the Safavids officially became Shia Islam. In later years, under a new ruler, Shah Abbas, Persia was opened to the wider world using the Persian Gulf ("Safavid Empire aka Persia”). Based on their geographical position, the Safavids, in order to be a strong Persian country, had to build a strong military, as they were located directly between the Mughals and the Ottomans. The Ottomans specifically were almost constantly competing with the Safavids for new lands to build their empire, Caucasus and Mesopotamia. In addition, their religious differences also set them apart as the Ottomans were Sunnis and the Safavids entitled themselves Shia Muslims. Their religious differences were so large that the Safavids began destroying holy places of the Sunni's as that religion was seen as evil. This rivalry grew so great that under the Safavids there was even an official, called the kalifat al-kolafa, whose sole purpose was to create anti-Ottoman propaganda (“Encyclopaedia …show more content…
Specifically, four small wars within this territorial battle erupted, beginning in 1532. Within this first war, the Ottomans gained large parts of Mesopotamia (Iraq), and parts of other countries including Armenia, while the Safavids maintained the possession of their lands, specifically their capital, Tabriz. Soon after, in 1577, battle between the two empires became continuous, as the Ottomans began the attacking in aim of capturing Caucasus. Multiple supporting tribes of the Safavids surrendered, for personal protection. In 1590, a peace treaty was signed, with the exception that religious propaganda come to an end. Still continuing, the Safavids regained their lands in 1603, including Baghdad, Caucasus, and Mesopotamia. The Persian army had reached a peak with their newfound triumph. The closing battle between the two regions occurred in 1623, where battle became idol seeing as the Persians could not push very far into the Ottoman Empire. Soon, Baghdad and Mesopotamia were regained by the Ottomans and the drawn out wars were closed in 1639. It was not until 1639 that a peace treaty was signed, and honored, to the point of no further warfare ("Ottoman-Safavid