An analysis of Safavid Sheikh's political-military relations with Sharvanshahan (1460-1495)

The present study aims at investigating the political-military relations of Safavid Sheikhs with Sharvanshahan، and also making an attempt to propose answers to the questions on the topic. In other words، it aims at shedding light on the factors playing the major roles in forming these relations، and moreover، at discovering the motives of Safavid sheikhs for their military adventures in Caucasia region، and their confrontation with Sharvanshahan Since Sharvanshahan ruled the state of Sharvan، which was considered as the entrance gate to Christian residence. These territories، from long ago، had a great attraction for the Muslim rulers for performing Jihad (holy war) in “the land of blasphemy”. By resorting to this motto، Safavid sheikhs considered the invasion of these territories the focal point of their Jihad. It is natural that in their course they had confrontation with Sharvanshahan، which ultimately led to an antagonistic relationship، and made it impossible to them to reach their ultimate goal، that was gaining political power and establishing a government. However، this eventful chapter of the Safavid history، which formed differently with the emergence of Ismail and his victory against Farokhyasar Sharvanshah، continued even after setting up a government till the time Sharvan finally joined the domain of Safavids.