Investigating the contexts and role of King Mahmoud Sistani in the political developments of the late Safavid period

The Qaljaian movements in Kandahar in the late Safavid era, which led to the death of several Safavid commanders, eventually led to the conquest of Isfahan. Simultaneously with these actions, King Mahmud Sistani, one of the kings of the Sistan region, was able to establish an independent government in the east of the country by conquering Mashhad and the cities of Khorasan and being crowned, declaring a kingdom and minting coins. These actions angered Shah Tahmasb II and sent the IRGC to this area. Finally, Shah Tahmasb ended the reign of King Mahmud by appearing in Mashhad and attracting the attention of Nader Gholi Afshar and the siege of Mashhad. The main purpose of this dissertation - which is based on the method of historical research based on two descriptive and critical features and also the use of mental inferences - is to examine the context and role of King Mahmoud Sistani in the political events of the late Safavid era. The most important questions about King Mahmoud is what were the reasons for the rise and fall of King Mahmoud? What was the role of King Mahmoud in the relative calm of the Afghan presence in eastern Iran? Mahmoud was able to gain control of Khorasan with the relative consent of the Afghans of Isfahan, but due to illegitimacy and early claims of the monarchy and some injustices, he could not open a strong foothold among the people.