Safavid relations with Muslim neighbors

Abstract

Relations between Safavid Iran and its Muslim neighbors evolved from connections between the ruling families to more formal diplomatic encounters and confrontations. The relationship between the Safavids and Ottomans at first centered on contests that helped shape the Safavid state as it grew from its origins as a religiopolitical movement in religious and military opposition to the rapidly-expanding Ottoman Empire. The Safavids had established relations with other Muslim rulers from their very origins. Beginning in the fourteenth century, they had arisen as a mystical religious order with Sufi roots under the leadership of their founder Safi al-Din. By 1501, the Safavids, led by Shah Esma‘il I, had consolidated enough temporal power by defeating the Aqqoyunlu ruler Alvand at Sharur to proclaim Esma‘il I as their ruler in their new capital, Tabriz. When the Safavid army attacked the Uzbeks at the Battle of Ghojdovan in November 1512, it suffered a serious defeat at which Najm-e Sani was captured and killed.