Cultural Proceedings of Shah Tahmasb i In Institutionalizing of Shi ism in Society

Shah Isma’il I, the founder of Safawid dynasty, established Shiism in Iran. This was firstly done in through military power in cities; but Safawids found that it was necessary to use widespread cultural and organizational proceedings for stabilizing this religion and institutionalizing it in the society. The fifty-year period of ruling of Shah Isma’il’s son and successor, Shah Tahmasb I (930-984 AH), prepared a proper opportunity for him to make widespread effort for stabilizing the status of Shiism. These measures were taken both in the level of making the government and the official’s religious and making the society Shiite and observing the religious rites among people. Cultural activities were the dominant aspect of those measures, with the Shiite scholars and jurists as the axes. In the present article, we have investigated and analyzed various measures of Shah Tahmasb I in promoting Shiism and institutionalizing it. The findings of the study show that in his age, all missionary and promotional capacities such as religious leaders, institutions, shrines, rites, personages, ceremonies, educational and religious institutions, religious texts and teachings have been utilized for institutionalizing and promoting Shiism in Iranian society.