The Safavid Empire was founded in Persia (modern Iran) in the early 16th century by Shah Ismail I.

The dynasty originated from a mystical Sufi religious order.

A pivotal act of Shah Ismail was declaring Twelver Shia Islam as the official state religion of his empire.

This was a significant decision, as the majority of the Muslim world, including the neighboring Ottoman Empire, was Sunni.

The imposition of Shia Islam created a distinct Persian identity and was a major source of conflict with the Sunni Ottomans.

The Safavid-Ottoman rivalry dominated the geopolitics of the Middle East for centuries.

The empire reached its peak under the rule of Shah Abbas I (the Great) from 1588 to 1629.

Shah Abbas reformed the army, centralized the administration, and built a magnificent new capital at Isfahan.

Isfahan under Shah Abbas became a showcase of Persian art and architecture, famous for its mosques, palaces, and bazaars.

The Safavid dynasty played a crucial role in establishing the historical foundations of modern Iran.