The end of Safavids

The Safavid Empire, which established in 1501 and lasted for more than two centuries, was one of the most influential
empires in Iranian history. Shia Islam was vigorously promoted by the Safavid emperors and eventually became the state religion of Iran. The empire did, however, ultimately come to an end in the 18th century, despite all of their attempts to strengthen it.

Map of Iran in Safavid era (1600-1700 AD)

One of the factors that contributed to the decline of the Safavid Empire was the financial difficulties that the rulers faced. The Safavids had a reputation for producing high-quality Persian coins, but towards the end of the empire, the value of the coins began to decline. This was due to the debasement of the currency, where rulers began to reduce the amount of precious metals in the coins, leading to inflation and a loss of trust in the currency.

Silver coin of Sultan Husayn, the last king of Safavids

Another factor that contributed to the decline of the Safavid Empire was political instability. The Ottoman Empire and the Uzbeks, who were able to seize some of the Safavid territories, were just two of the outside powers that the Safavids had to contend with. Additionally, conflicts within the ruling elite between various factions weakened the empire and increased its susceptibility to outside dangers.

Sultan Husayn last Shah of Safavids (1694 – 1722)

The end of the Safavid Empire came in 1722 when Afghan forces invaded and captured Isfahan, the Safavid capital. The Afghans looted the city, destroyed many of the buildings, and killed thousands of people. This event marked the beginning of the end of the Safavid Empire, as it never fully recovered from the devastation.

In conclusion, the end of the Safavid Empire was a complex process that involved a combination of factors, including financial difficulties, political instability, and external threats. The decline of the Persian coins and the invasion of Isfahan were just two of the many factors that led to the empire’s downfall. Despite its decline, the Safavid Empire remains an important part of Iranian history and its influence can still be felt today.

Related coins

SAFAVID: Sultan Husayn (AD 1694-1722/AH 1105-1135) AV ashrafi, AH 1130, Isfahan.
Safavid, Tahmasp II, AH 1135-1145. AR abbasi.Tabriz mint. Dated AH 1136
SAFAVID: Isma’il I, 1501-1524, AR shahi, Herat
SAFAVID: Sulayman I, 1668-1694, AR abbasi, Qazwin mint