16th - CENTURY SAFAVID – OTTOMAN RELATIONS

Abstract

The Safavid Empire was founded in 1501 by Shah I Ismail and unifed the Azerbaijani lands under a single authority. In the 16th century, the Safavid Empire covered ast territories stretching from Euphrates to Kandahar, and from the Caucasus to the Indian Ocean. At frst,friendly relations existed between the Safavids and the Ottoman Empire, and II Beyazid recognized Shah Ismail as the ruler of Azerbaijan and the Safavid state.
However, after Selim came to power, relations between the two states became strained. The main cause of this confict was not only religious differences, but also the struggle for dominance in the Middle East. The Battle of Chaldiran in 1514 ended a ictory for the Ottaman army. After the death of Shah Ismail, Shah I Tahmasp came to power and mainly Safavid – Ottoman wars with Suleiman the Magnifcent, the Peace of
Amasya was signed in 1555, establishing a period of temporary peace between the two states. This Article is devoted to Peace of Amasya and to the 16th - century relations between the Safavid Empire and the Ottaman Empire up to that agreement.