About Shah Abbas I of the Safavid Dynasty And His Personality

Shah Abbas and His Reign

History Corner: Ahmad Fartash — Shah Abbas the Great ruled Iran for 42 years, from 996 to 1038 AH (1578 to 1629 AD). He was born on February 7, 1587, and died on January 20, 1629. Historians attribute his title "The Great" to two reasons: first, to distinguish him from Shah Abbas II, and second, because he was the most powerful king of the Safavid dynasty, bringing Iran to a level of glory and grandeur not seen in the 1400 years since the Arab invasions. If later Iranian rulers had possessed his wisdom and strength, Iran would not have fallen behind in the 19th century.

Decline After Shah Abbas and Later Dynastic Changes

Shah Abbas passed away in 1629. At that time, liberalism was emerging in Europe. The last Safavid king, Sultan Husayn, was deposed in 1722, and Iran declined gradually after Shah Abbas’s death.

The later Safavid kings lacked significant achievements. After Sultan Husayn’s fall, Iran experienced 47 years of internal conflict. Nader Shah’s rise ended the civil strife, but he ruled only for 12 years, ending in 1769.

After Nader’s death, Karim Khan Zand took power, ruling for 28 years. However, like Nader, he failed to establish a lasting dynasty. When Karim Khan died in 1779, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar ascended to the throne and ruled for 18 years.

Though Nader Shah and Agha Mohammad Khan were military rulers, and Karim Khan was a just leader, they did little to advance civilization or development. Nader's rule was short, Karim Khan left no successor, and Agha Mohammad Khan’s successors were weak.

Thus, from 1629, when Shah Abbas died, to 1797, when Agha Mohammad Khan was assassinated, Iran stagnated for about 170 years. No one sustained Shah Abbas’s achievements.

The situation worsened when, under Fath-Ali Shah’s reign, Iran entered the 19th century already lagging behind. This 170-year stagnation, compounded by Fath-Ali Shah’s and Mohammad Shah’s reigns, left Iran far behind in terms of progress. In the near-50-year reign of Naser al-Din Shah, despite some reforms, little improvement was made.

After 10 years of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah's rule and the Constitutional Revolution, Iran had wasted 280 years (or exactly 276 years), while Europeans had surged ahead.

Shah Abbas’s Early Reign

Now, let's return to the story of Shah Abbas the Great. When Shah Ismail died in 930 AH, his successor, Shah Tahmasp, ruled for 54 years and contained the power struggles among the Qizilbash, raising Iran's status vis-à-vis the Ottoman Empire.

Shah Abbas ascended the throne at 17, at a time when Iran was in severe crisis. In the west and northwest, nearly all the border provinces were occupied by the Ottomans, and in the east, the Uzbeks had seized half of Khorasan. Due to internal conflicts between the Qizilbash and other factions, the king’s power had weakened considerably.

Shah Abbas quickly realized he couldn't tackle all issues simultaneously, especially with an empty royal treasury due to his father’s extravagances. He first focused on restoring internal order, then driving out the Uzbeks from Khorasan, and finally reclaiming territories seized by the Ottomans.

This strategy led him to sign a peace treaty with the Ottomans two years into his reign, ceding Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, parts of Georgia, and several other regions to ensure temporary peace.

Military Reforms and Consolidation of Power

Once secure in the west, Shah Abbas moved to consolidate his authority over the Qizilbash, creating a third military force of Caucasian slaves, known as “ghulams” or royal servants. This move weakened the Qizilbash’s power and enabled him to create a permanent standing army—something Iran had not seen since the Sassanian era.

Ten years into his reign, Iran underwent rapid social change, resulting in the empowerment of the ghulams and the weakening of the Qizilbash. This shift reduced internal conflicts and gave Shah Abbas the sole power to make critical decisions.

After reestablishing internal security, Shah Abbas turned to the Uzbeks, defeating them and securing the northeastern borders in 1007 AH. He also relocated the capital from Qazvin to Isfahan in 1006 AH to enable faster military responses.

Shah Abbas Impact on Iran

Twelve years after his initial treaty with the Ottomans, Shah Abbas launched a campaign to reclaim Azerbaijan and other occupied territories, including the city of Tabriz, which the Ottomans had controlled for two decades.

Shah Abbas also reclaimed Baghdad from the Ottomans in 1032 AH, although it was later lost under his successor, Shah Safi. During his 42-year reign, the influence of Shia clerics grew, as the Safavid rulers had used Shia Islam to legitimize their power.

In battles against the Portuguese, Shah Abbas expelled them from the Persian Gulf, liberating the region.

Shah Abbas was not only a military strategist but also a diplomat, often opting for negotiation over conflict. He also demonstrated resilience and appreciation for his soldiers and people, issuing tax exemptions for the people of Khorasan after the Uzbek occupation.

Abbas was popular among the people, often mingling with them in disguise to stay informed. His humor, modest attire, and dedication made him beloved among those who met him.

French traveler Jean Chardin wrote of him, “When this great king departed from the world, prosperity and welfare departed from Iran.”

Shah Abbas's non-military achievements also left a lasting impact on history.