The Safavid dynasty had its origins in a long established Sufi order which had flourished in Azerbaijan since the early 14th century. Its founder was Sheikh Safi al-Din (d.1334) after whom it is named. He came from Ardebil, where his shrine exists to this day. Originally they were of the Sunni persuasion although the records were doctored when they came to power to show that they were Shi'ite. In 1501 the young head of the order, Shah Ismail I (1501-1524), who was a grandson on his mother's side of Ouzun Hassan, defeated the Turkoman Aq-Quiunlu ruler of Iran, Alvand, at Sharur and occupied Tabriz. The victory was managed with the help of the Shi'ite Qizilbash Turkoman tribesmen who wore a hat with twelve tassels in honour of the twelve Imams. He died at Ardebil on a pilgrimage to the tomb of his father, and his son and successor, Shah Tahmasp I (1524-76) moved the capital southward to Qazvin.
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| Important events | |
Death of the philosopher-gnostic Mollâ Sadrâ (1640 A.D.) |
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