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The '''Safavids''' were a [[Shiite]] dynasty of Azerbaijani descent<ref>[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. They Originated in Iranian [[Azerbaijan]] creating one of the greatest Iranian dynasties <ref>Andrew J. Newman, Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire,  I. B. Tauris (March 30, 2006) </ref> since the [[Islamic]] conquest of Iran, and established a school of Shiite Islam<ref>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 the Shiite Muslim religion in Iran.

The '''Safavid Dynasty''' ruled an Iranian kingdom from 1502 to 1722 A.D. Established by [[Ismail Safavi]], they originated in Iranian [[Azerbaijan]]. He declared [[Iran]] a [[Shiite]] [[Islamic]] state - a designation that is still true today.