Research on Iran-India Relations in theSafavid AgeAnd Their Effects on Performingthe Hajj by Iranians through India

Abstract Iran and India are two big neighbors with a long-standing history and common ethnic and historical origins, whose relations have often been friendly since ancient times. These relations developed significantly in the era of the Safavid reign in Iran, especially during the period of the establishment of the Safavid dynasty as well as the reign of the descendants of Amir Timur Gurkani in India. These two dynasties had friendly and close relations in most of this time. One of the most influential external factors in this regard was the presence of a common enemy called Uzbek in their vicinity, in Samarkand which influenced the political developments of these two states. Taking refuge of Iran by Homayoun Shah and border disputes over the city of Kandahar also played a role in the rise and fall of the Safavids relations with Indian Gurkhanids. But performing the Haij by Iranians through India can be considered as one of the areas of interaction and relations with this country. The purpose of the present paper is to identify and investigate the factors affecting the Safavids relations with the Gurkanids in the political dimensions, and the history of the relations between these two states in the mentioned period. The hypothesis of the present research is that the danger of Uzbeks for both countries as well as the efforts of Iran and India to dominate the strategic city of Kandahar were important factors in the ups and downs of the relations between the Gurkanids and Safavids which also influenced performing the Hajj. The study concluded that, despite the obstacles in developing the relations between Iran and India, Iranian pilgrims had to go Hajj through India due to the presence of many Iranians in India and the hostile relations of the Ottoman government with Iran.