Latest / The Safavid Empire: Persia's Return to Greatness — Fexingo History
The Silk Route of Faith: Safavid Pilgrimage Roads
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the intricate network of pilgrimage roads that connected Safavid Iran to the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad. They discuss how Shah Abbas I transformed these routes into vital arteries of trade, diplomacy, and religious devotion, using caravanserais to accommodate thousands of pilgrims. The episode delves into the role of the mutawalli (custodians) who managed these sacred sites, the challenges of banditry and Ottoman rivalry, and the political significance of Twelver Shi'ism in Safavid identity. Drawing on accounts from…
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