Shah Ismail I the Founder of Safavid Empire of Iran

 

Shah Islamil I, also known as Ismail Khatai, the founder of the Safavid dynasty which ruled Persia from 1501 to 1736, was born in 1487 in Ardabil and died in on 23rd May 1524 in Ardabil, Iran, at the age of 37.

The Safavids, a Sufi order dating back to Safi al-Din, established the Empire (1252 to 1334). Safi al-Din adapted to Shi'ism and was a Persian patriot. The Safavid brotherhood began as a religious order.

The brotherhood grew stronger over the centuries by luring war lords and through political marriages. In the 15th century, it became both a military and a religious organization. Many were drawn to the brotherhood's devotion to Ali and the 'hidden Imam.' The brotherhood became more militarily confrontational in the 15th century, waging jihad (Islamic holy war) against parts and what is now modern Turkey and Georgia.

The Proclamation of Shah Ismail as Leader of Shi'ism

In 1501, the Safavid Shahs declared independence when the Ottomans outlawed Shi'a Islam in their territory. The Safavid Empire was strengthened by important Shi'a soldiers from the Ottoman army who had fled from persecution. When the Safavids came to power, Shah Ismail was proclaimed ruler at the age of 14 or 15, and by 1510 Ismail had conquered the whole of Iran.

Shi'ism was declared the state religion by Ismail. The foundation of the Safavi Empire alarmed the rest of the Muslim world because the shah's followers believed he was the legitimate ruler of the entire Muslim community. This pitted the Safavids against the Sunni Ottoman sultans, who claimed leadership of the Islamic world for themselves. In 1514, Ismail was defeated by the Ottoman sultan Selim I, a Sunni rival.

Shah Ismail successfully continued his military marches. He had massively expanded Azerbaijan's borders. However, as he grew stronger, his contacts with the Ottoman Empire weakened. Tensions between both Turkish states culminated in a bloody battle on the Chaldyran Plain in August 1514. The first defeat of Shah Ismail occurred in Chaldyran.

Last days of Ismail

Following this defeat, Shah Ismail suspends his military marches and devotes the remainder of his life to cultural development and country advancement. Shah Ismail began his artistic creativity during his adolescence. He wrote the major part of his works in his native language. He composed the poem "Dahnameh" as well as the couplets "Nasihatnameh." For the very first time, he included in his work "Divan" samples of metre determined by the number of syllables – goshma, gerai, and bayaty – as well as ghazals written in Aruz metre. Khatai's poetry exudes the sweetness and aesthetic value of the Azerbaijani language.