The Status and Privileges of Qizilbāsh Military in the Government of Safavid Shāh Ismāil I

The formation of the Safavid state (1501-1722) happened with the help of the presence and power of Qizilbāsh soldiers affiliated with Turkmen tribes, who established a morid-morad relationship with the Safavid sheikhs and kings with the religious connection of the Safavid Sūfī order in Ardabil. This relationship was strengthened with the officialization of the Shi'a religion in Iran, in the form of Shāhelahi-Ghāzī, a passionate Shi'a-Sūfī warrior. These soldiers achieved various privileges in the Safavid government due to their military role in the battles of Shah Ismail (1501-1524) with the ruling families, internal rulers and rival ruling dynasties such as the Ottomans and the Uzbeks and their efforts in the establishment, stabilization and continuation of the Safavid government. And after the royal family, they were placed in the second position of the social pyramid and power structure. This research aimed to investigate the status and privileges of Qizilbāsh militaries in the government of Shāh Ismāil I, using a descriptive-analytical method based on the data of library sources. The basis of the investigation was identifying the determining factor in the status and privileges of Qizilbāsh troops in Shah Ismail's government. The research assumption emphasizes the military strength and tribal support of the militaries as the determining factor. The findings of the research showed that the basis of Shāh Ismāil's power was related to the presence and power of Qizilbāsh soldiers. The various roles of these soldiers in the field of militarism, internal relations, the government of the states, as lala (statesmen) of the princes and even in the field of foreign relations, depicted the multiplicity of duties and responsibilities of the soldiers in this period, and raised their position and scope of influence in the government, so that they were appointed as chief officials of the government.