Religious Unity of Iranians under the Safawids

The establishment of Safawid dynasty in Iran – due to its decisive effect on Iran, Islamic lands, and global equations – was the most important event in the early years of the tenth century AH (sixteenth century AD). Before coronation of Shah Ismaiel Safawi in 907 AH and his establishment of Twelver Shiism as the official religion in Iran, this land was subject to power struggle. During the centuries after the Mongol invasion, Iran was deprived from accessing to independence and territorial unity as well as independent political identity. Concomitant to Safawids’ accession to power, the Ozbeks were ruling in the east of Iran and the Ottomans were ruling in the west. Both were attempting to extend their power in this land, and if there were no powerful government, Iran would probably become annexed to the conquests of Ozbeks or Ottomans, being deprived from independence forever. Under that condition, the establishment of Safawid government and the spread of its realm of influence to the specified frontiers of Iran gave a new life to this land, preparing the ground for national unity by establishing the political and religious independence.