Iran and the World in the Safavid Age (International Library of Iranian Studies): v. 2 - Hardcover

Willem Floor; Edmund Herzig

9781850439301: Iran and the World in the Safavid Age (International Library of Iranian Studies): v. 2

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1850439303 ISBN 13: 9781850439301

Publisher: I.B.Tauris, 2012

The Safavid era is of special significance in the history of Iran. Under the Safavids - between the sixteenth and the mid-eighteenth century - Iran was transformed and a state emerged which was the forerunner of the Iran of today in several important ways. The age is known for its wealth of contributions to Persian culture and to the arts of the Islamic world, its robust military encounters with its Ottoman and Mughal neighbours and growing contacts with Western Europe. But little is known about the social, cultural, commercial and diplomatic relations of the Safavids with the rest of the world. Iran and the World in the Safavid Age presents the most recent research into Safavid Iran's foreign relations. It challenges the long-held notion that, with the adoption of Shi ism, Iranians retreated into relative isolation, suggesting rather that they engaged with the world in unprecedented and exciting ways. With contributions from the leading authorities in the field, Iran and the World in the Safavid Age explores Iran s relations with other countries and cultures. Examining how Iran was itself perceived as well as how it viewed the outside world this ground-breaking book sheds new light on the history of Iran's relations with the world beyond its borders and expands our understanding of this pivotal period.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

Iran and the World in the Safavid Age provides yet the broades contexts for understanding this critical era, new data, and challenging analyses to demonstrate the continuing vitality of Safavid Studies. --Gene R. Garthwaite, Professor of History, and Jane and Raphael Bernstein Professor of Asian Studies, Dartmouth College

The chapters in this book constitute an extraordinary range of contributions to the understanding of the political, social, religious, cultural and commercial state of the world, and Iran s place therein during the Safavid period. --Andrew J. Newman, Reader in Islamic Studies and Persian, University of Edinburgh, and author of Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire

Synopsis:

Safavid Persia is known for its wealth of cultural contributions to the history of Iran and to the arts of the Islamic world. Its robust military interventions with its Ottoman and Mughal neighbours has also been extensively studied. Little is known however about the social, commercial, economic and diplomatic relations of the Safavids with the rest of the world. This book presents the most recent research into Iran's international relations during the 16th-18th centuries - a formative period for society and culture of the Iranian state. It challenges the long-held notion that, with the adoption of Shi'ism, Safavid Iran retreated into relative isolation, suggesting rather that it embraced the world in unprecedented, vibrant and accelerating ways. With contributions from the leading authorities in the field, the book explores relations and mutual perceptions between Iran and other countries and cultures, from the rising Atlantic powers of Europe in the West to the Ottomans and Mughals and on to Siam in the East, shedding new light on the history of Iran's relations with the world outside its borders.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.