The Ethnic Identity of the Safavid State
The Ethnic Identity of the Safavid State

Summary/Abstract: The Safavid state founded by Shah Ismail at the beginning of the 16th century occupies a special place in the history of Azerbaijan statehood. Shah Ismail united the lands of Azerbaijan and created a powerful empire. The origin of Azerbaijan Safavid state is one of the issues that became the object of discussion in Azerbaijani and world historiography. In the presented research work, a number of foreign sources and historiographical works were consulted to determine the ethnic origin of the Safavid state. For instance, the Russian orientalists V. V. Bartold and A. Y. Krymsky were the first to show that the Safavid dynasty and the tribes that defended them were of Turkish (Azerbaijani) origin. Three conceptions of Safavid ethnicity are more widespread. Most of the researchers claimed that they are of Persian or Turkish origin. Although the Safavid historiography from the 16th century shows that the genealogy of the Safavid dynasty is of Arab origin, Turkism is reflected as the main ethnic identity in the ethnic identity, life and creativity, and political activities of all the Safavid rulers. Shah Ismayil himself and his colleagues were Azerbaijani Turks. The Safavid state was established in the territory of Azerbaijan at that time, its centers were the Azerbaijani cities of Ardabil and Tabriz. The Azerbaijani language has been dominant in the army and palace for centuries. Shah Ismail wrote his literary works in the Azerbaijani language and issued state decrees in this language. In order to understand the positions of the Turks and Persians, it is necessary to take a brief look at the families who played a role in the formation of the Safavid state organization and the councils that played a key role in its administration. As is known, the Qizilbash nobles and their nobles (emirs) played an important role in the structure of the Safavid state. Most of these families were Turkish descents.

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