Rethinking the Safavit Iran (907-1148/1501-1736) : Cultural and Political Identity in Iranian Society During the Safavid Period

Abstract/Sommario: The aim of the paper is to examine the controversy about the nature and function of the Safavid State and society. There is no doubt that the rule of the Safavid dynasty caused changes in all aspects of the Iranian society. The two significant changes which occurred during this period were the emergence of a centralized government and introduction of the Imami Shi'i as the official religion in Iran, whose effect was to unify Iran