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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]].

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.