Latest / The Safavid Empire: Persia's Return to Greatness — Fexingo History
The Silk Road of Shiism: Safavid Pilgrimage & Power
In the early 17th century, Shah Abbas I of the Safavid Empire engineered a remarkable pilgrimage route to the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, transforming a dusty town into a major religious center. This episode follows the construction of caravanserais, the politics of pilgrimage, and the economic boost that came from Shiite pilgrims traveling across Persia. Along the way, we explore the role of the Safavid state in shaping religious identity, the competition with Sunni powers like the Ottomans over holy sites, and the personal story of a Georgian slave who became a key figure in the…
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