The Position of Ardalan State between the Ottoman and Safavid

Because of the geographical and geopolitical position of Ardalan state, it has experienced much fallings and downs by the Safavid and Ottoman competition. So that the realm of this state gradually reduced. The present study aims to describe and analyze the transition process of the Ardalan state in the Safavid era and considers the Safavid and Ottoman viewpoints and politics on that. In addition, it aims to answer two questions: why did the state turn as a conflict area for those governments? What was the role of this state and its governors against aforementioned powers? The present study aims to examine this hypothesis: Geographical and geopolitics position of Ardalan realm had dramatically increased the strategic importance of that in the ideological and political competition between the Ottoman and Safavid. The rulers of this state were prudent and also tried to tends to one of the powers for maintaining their situation and independence as much as possible.