Evaluation of the role of religious factors in Safavid military efficiency

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the impact of the religious factors in Iran’s Safavid military efficiency. The findings of this study suggest that the military efficiency was positively affected by some religious figures like “Sadr” and “judge” as well as clergy men even in some informal activities. Safavid religious concerns in war and peace had a great impact on military efficiency. The effective use of religious symbols in wars as well as the participation of clergies and leading the battles by religious scholars was among the religious efficiency factors in military. Whenever Safavid were aware of this powerful potential and put it forward, the military morale was in the zenith. Otherwise in case of negligence or underestimating the religious figures, they were doomed to the failure.