2nd Slide- Introduction * Difference between the Sunni Ottomans and the Shi'a Safavids * Sunni is the recognition of the 1st three successors to Muhammad (Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman) *The Shi'a believed that only the 4th successor ( Ali ) had the right to succeed the prophet. The Safavid Dynasty had it's origins in a family of mystics and religious preachers One of the sufis, Sail al-Din gave the dynasty its name and began a militant campaign to …showed first 75 words of 561 total…

…showed last 75 words of 561 total…rapid His grandson was placed on the throne after him and was weak. Therefore the dynasty's prosperity declined. *The quality of rulers were becoming less sufficient ( Similar to the Ottomans) Disputes and rebellions * Isfahan was attaked by Afgani tribes *October, over 80,000 people died of starvation and disease The city fell and the Safavid power was ended Nadir Khan Afshar proclaimed himself shah. *The area of the empire decreased and the dynasties that followed were short-lived