Persian Safavid Empire

The Safavid Empire, which thrived from the early 16th to the mid-18th century, was a powerful Persian dynasty that established Shia Islam as the state religion of Iran. Founded by Shah Ismail I, the Safavids unified diverse tribes and regions, promoting arts, culture, and architecture, exemplified by beautiful structures like the Shah Mosque in Isfahan. The empire fostered trade and engaged in conflicts with neighboring Ottoman and Mughal empires. Despite its achievements, the Safavid Empire weakened over time due to internal strife and external pressures, eventually leading to its decline and the rise of other powers in the region.