Shah Abbas

A new biography of the life of Shah Abbas - generally considered the greatest ruler of the Safavid dynasty in Iran

SHAH ?ABBAS (1571 1629) is the most well-known king of Iran s Safavid dynasty (1501 1722), ruling at the height of its power and prestige. When Shah Abbas came to power his country was in chaos. Yet within eleven years he had regained territory lost to his enemies, moved his capital city and begun a transformation of Iranian society. Few aspects of life were unaffected by his policies and the new capital he built, the spectacular Isfahan, is still referred to as nisf-i jahan, or half the world , by Iranians today.
In this wide-ranging profile, Sholeh A. Quinn explores Shah ?Abbas s rise to power and his subsequent interactions with religious movements and artistic developments, reaching beyond the historical narrative to assess the true impact of the man and his politics. Thought provoking and comprehensive, this account is ideal for readers interested in uncovering the life and thoughts of a man who ruled during a period described by many as a golden age for the arts in Iran.

Acknowledgements

Preface

Abbreviations



1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Safavids: the Sufi Order

From Sufi Order to Ruling Dynasty

After Isma‘ il

Qizilbash Culture and Society

Imposing Shi‘ ism

Early Notions of Legitimacy, Power, and Authority

Iran and the World: a Brief Overview



2 EARLY YEARS: 1571– 1598

The Immediate Context: The Reigns of Shah Isma‘ il II and Muhammad Khudabanda

The Birth of Shah ‘ Abbas

First Attempts to Place ‘ Abbas Mirza on the Throne

‘ Abbas Mirza’ s Second Enthronement

Shah ‘ Abbas in Power

Shah ‘ Abbas and the Qizilbash

External Challenges: the Ottoman Truce

External Challenges: Relations with the Mughals

Gilan and Mazandaran

The New Ghulam Army

Shah ‘ Abbas and the Sufi Orders

Suppression of Religious Heresies: the Nuqtavis

Shah ‘ Abbas’ s Temporary Dethronement

Shah ‘ Abbas and Political Legitimacy

Shah ‘ Abbas as “ The Supreme Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction”



3 BUILDING HALF THE WORLD: 1598– 1612

The Image of the World Square

The King’ s Palace

The Royal Mosque

The Shaykh Lutf Allah Mosque

The Royal Bazaar

Endowments

Social Transformations: the Armenians and New Julfa

Social Transformations: the Safavid Household in Isfahan

General Economic Policies and Measures

Shah ‘ Abbas in Isfahan



4 RELIGION AND POWER IN ISFAHAN

The Pilgrimage on Foot to Mashhad

Shah ‘ Abbas and the ‘ Amili Clergy

Systematizing Orthodox Shi‘ ism: Shaykh Baha’ i

The Friday Prayer Controversy

The School of Isfahan

Shah ‘ Abbas and Christianity

Religion and Kingship



5 FROM HALF THE WORLD TO THE OTHER HALF: WARFARE AND DIPLOMACY

Firearms

The Battle for Khurasan: Shah ‘ Abbas and the Uzbeks

Narrating the Campaign

The Battle against the Uzbeks

Shah ‘ Abbas’ s European Diplomacy

The Anti-Ottoman Alliance

Diverting the Flow of Silk

Travelers to the Shah

The Western Front: Shah ‘ Abbas and the Ottomans



6 THE ARTS IN THE SERVICE OF KINGSHIP

New Artistic Styles

A New Visual Identity

Calligraphers and Painters

Sadiqi Beg Afshar

‘ Ali Riza ‘ Abbasi

Mir ‘ Imad

Riza-yi ‘ Abbasi

The Arts in Diplomacy and Gift-Giving

The Embassy of Khan ‘ Alam

The Pierport Morgan Picture Bible

Internal Gift-Giving



7 THE FINAL PHASE: 1612– 1629

Ashraf and Farahabad

Campaigns to Georgia

The Royal Export Silk Monopoly

Victory in Hormuz

The Taking of Qandahar

The Taking of Baghdad

Succession to the Throne

Shah ‘ Abbas’ s Death

Succession and Funeral

Conclusions

Further Reading

Bibliography

Index