Safavid Empire
RegionIran
Period1501-1736
Peak Size2.8 million km2
Founded ByIsmail I
About Safavid Empire
Established Shia Islam as the state religion of Iran, defining Iranian identity to this day. Isfahan was made one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Chahar Bagh avenue and magnificent mosques still stand. Fought the Ottomans and Uzbeks for centuries. Weakened by Afghan invasions in the early 1700s.