General notes on the Safavids for a PowerPoint presentation.

2nd Slide- Introduction * Difference between the Sunni Ottomans and the Shi'a Safavids * Sunni is the recognition of the 1st three successors to Muhammad (Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman) *The Shi'a believed that only the 4th successor ( Ali ) had the right to succeed the prophet. The Safavid Dynasty had it's origins in a family of mystics and religious preachers One of the sufis, Sail al-Din gave the dynasty its name and began a militant campaign to …

…rapid His grandson was placed on the throne after him and was weak. Therefore the dynasty's prosperity declined. *The quality of rulers were becoming less sufficient ( Similar to the Ottomans) Disputes and rebellions * Isfahan was attaked by Afgani tribes *October, over 80,000 people died of starvation and disease The city fell and the Safavid power was ended Nadir Khan Afshar proclaimed himself shah. *The area of the empire decreased and the dynasties that followed were short-lived