Name_________________________________________
Global 9R~ Ms. Hock & Ms. Powers
Date______________
Period_____________
The safavid empire
By the early 1500’s, the Safavid dynasty had united a strong empire in Persia, present-day Iran. Sandwiched
between two other empires, Mughal India and the Ottoman Empire, the Safavids engaged in frequent warfare, and
religion played a major role. The Safavids were Shitte Muslim who enforced their beliefs throughout their empire. The
Ottomans were Sunni Muslims who despised the Shiites as heretics.
Abbas the Great:
The outstanding Safavid shah, or king, was Abbas the Great. Shah Abbas
revived the glory of Ancient Persia. From 1558-1629, he centralized the government
and created a powerful military force modeled on the Ottomans. Abbas used a mixture
of force and diplomacy against the Ottomans. He also sought alliances with European
states that had reason to fear Ottoman power.
To strengthen the economy, Abbas reduced taxes on farmers and herders and
encouraged the growth of industry. Abbas tolerated non-Muslims and valued their
economic contributions. He built a magnificent new capital at Isfahan, a center of the international silk trade. Because the
trade was controlled by Armenians, Abbas had thousands of the Armenians brought to Isfahan. Even though they were
Christians, he had a settlement built for them just outside the capital, where they could govern themselves.
Under Abbas, Isfahan flourished as a center of Persian culture. The shah welcomed artists, poets, and scholars to
the court. Palace workshops produced magnificent porcelains, clothes, and rigs. Women and men wove intricately designed
flowers and animals into marvelous garden scenes. Abbas liked to walk the streets of Isfahan in disguise, mingling with the
crowds. Amid the cries of street vendors and swarms of traders and customers, he asked people about their problems. If he
header stories of corruption, he punished the guilty.
Questions:
1.
Where was the Safavid Empire located?
2. How did religion may an important role in their relationship with the Ottomans?
3. What is a Shah?
4. Name four contributions of Abbas the Great.
5. What was Isfahan? Can you compare it to any other major cities we have discussed this year?
6. Does Abbas the Great deserve his title? Why/Why not?