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The '''Safavid Dynasty''' ruled an Iranian kingdom from 1502 to 1722 A.D.  Established by [[Ismail Safavi]], he declared [[Iran]] a [[shiite]] state - a designation that is still true today.

The '''Safavids''' ({{PerB|صفویان}}) were a [[Shi’a]] [[dynasty]] of [[Azerbaijani]] descent<ref name="fryeiranica">[http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v13f3/v13f3004a.html Encyclopaedia Iranica. R. N. Frye. Peoples of Iran.]</ref>, which ruled [[Iran]] from 1502 till 1722. Originating in [[Ardabil]] in [[Iranian Azerbaijan]], they created the greatest Iranian empire <ref>Andrew J. Newman, Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire, I. B. Tauris (March 30, 2006) </ref> since the [[Islamic conquest of Persia]], and established the [[Twelvers|Ithnāˤashari school]] of [[Imamah (Shi'a twelver doctrine)|Shi'a Islam]]<ref name="savoryeiref"> R.M. Savory, ''Safavids'', [[Encyclopedia of Islam]], 2nd edition</ref> as the official religion. Despite their  demise in 1722, the Safavids have left their mark down to present era by establishing Shia Islam in major parts of the [[Western Asia]].

 

 

== Sources ==

== Sources ==

The Earth and Its Peoples A Global History, Bulliet et al, 2005.  

The Earth and Its Peoples A Global History, Bulliet et al, 2005.  

[[Category: Islam]]

[[Category: Islam]]