Latest / The Safavid Empire: Persia's Return to Greatness — Fexingo History
The Safavid Harem and the Politics of the Imperial Household
In this episode of the Safavid Empire series, Lucas and Luna explore the Safavid harem — not as a place of orientalist fantasy, but as a centre of political power, intrigue, and dynastic survival. They discuss how Shah Tahmasp's mother, Mahd-e Olya, effectively ran the empire during his early reign, and how later shahs like Shah Abbas I and Shah Safi used the harem as a tool for controlling succession and neutralising Qizilbash rivals. The conversation covers the role of the harem-e homayun in producing heirs, managing diplomatic marriages, and influencing policy through figures like Saru…
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