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Jul 3, 1501
The advent of the Safavid Empire
Having taken over Tabriz with the support of the Trukish-speaking tribe, Qizilbash, Ismail crowned himself shah (king) of the Safavid Empire, and declared Shiism as the official state religion, prosecuting and executing any non-converts and Sunni. -
Period: Nov 5, 1501 to Nov 5, 1524
Shah Ismail I's reign
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Period: Nov 5, 1501 to
Revival of the Silk Road (16th Century)
In addition to Iran's convenient position between Europe, India, and Islamic Central Asia, the revival of the Silk Road connecting northern Iran with India in the 16th century played a major role in filling the Safavid economy with prosperity through foreign overland trade. Some commodities traded between teh Safavid Empire and other nations include horses, goat hair, pearls, hadam-talka, spice, metals, coffee, textiles and sugar. -
Aug 23, 1514
Battle of Chaldiran against the Turkish sultan Selim
The battle ended with the defeat of the Safavid Empire by the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the annexation of eastern Anatolia and northern Iraq. This undermined the belief that the Shah was semi-divine, undefeated and ordained by God. -
Period: Nov 5, 1524 to Nov 5, 1576
Shah Tahmasp's reign
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Period: Nov 5, 1524 to Nov 5, 1534
A 10-year civil war between the factions of the Qizilbash
The instability resulted from the legend of the defeat in the battle of Chaldiran -
Abbas I was crowned shah
Shah Abbas I, the 5th and arguably the most successful shah of the Safavid Empire was crowned king -
Period: to
Shah Abbas I's reign
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Abbas I made Isfahan the capital
Safavid culture, architeture and art flourished as one of the largest and most beautiful cities was built. -
End of Abbas I's reign - Women's freedom and quality of life dropped
During Shah Abbas I's reign, women's freedom and quality of life was at its peak within the Safavid period. However, upon the death of Abbas I, women's life became harsh as Abbas II came to power. Shah Abbas II's cruelty towards women could be described as almost limitless; burning women was common during his regin, and he often killed or blind courtier women's children. http://www.wseas.us/e-library/conferences/2011/Lanzarote/SOSOMACTS/SOSOMACTS-22.pdf
