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The Safavid Georgians: How Shah Abbas I's Gholams Shaped Persia
This episode explores the pivotal role of the gholam system under Shah Abbas I, focusing on the elite Georgian, Armenian, and Circassian military slaves who rose to become generals, governors, and kingmakers in Safavid Persia. We trace the story of Allahverdi Khan, a Georgian captive who became commander-in-chief and governor of Fars, and his son Emamqoli Khan, whose assassination under Shah Safi I marked a brutal turn. We discuss how these converted Christians, stripped of tribal loyalties, served as a counterweight to the Qizilbash Turkmen, reshaping Persia's military, economy, and…
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