SHAH ISMAIL
Shah Ismail, the founder of Iran Safevi State, was born in 1487. His father Sheik Haydar died in a war against Sirvan Ruler Ferruh Yesar and Yakup Bey, Akkoyunlu ruler providing assistance to him.
Shah Ismail, who lived in prison for three years, started struggles after his captivity. After these struggles lasting until 1500, Shah Ismail marched against the murderer of his father, Ferruh Yesar. He occupied Baku and defeated Akkoyunlu ruler Elvend near Nahcivan, and took some of his country. Then he went to Tebriz to be crowned and obtained the title of "Shah". Shah Ismail, passing 1502 winter in Tebriz, invaded Fars and Iraq in the spring and then by defating Murad Bey, the Persian ruler, Şiraz. He invaded Erciş, Ahlat and Bitlis in 1507 and advanced to Elbistan.
Shah Ismail, faced two strong rivals while expanding the borders of his state. Those were Uzbeks in the East and Ottomans in the west. Shah Ismail was planning to stir up trouble in Anatolia to end Ottoman State. In a period when the struggles of sultanate between Ottoman princes was intense, Nur Ali Halife, sent to Anatolia by Shah Ismail, entered Tokat with Turkmen horsemen with him. He read sermon in Shah Ismail's name there. In addition, he started a rebel in Antalya Şahkulu.
When Yavuz Sultan Selim ascended the throne, the struggles for the throne were over. Yavuz Sultan Selim acted first against the supporters of Shah in Anatolia. Yavuz Sultan Selim, having eliminated the supporters of Shah Ismail in Anatolia, initiated war preparations. Having got ready, Yavuz Sultan Selim defeated Shah Ismail in the war in Çaldıran Plain on 23 August 1515. Shah Ismail, losing his bravery after this defeat, lived his last days in different cities.
Shah Ismail, who died in 1524, was buried next to Sheik Safiyüddin in Erdebil.
Shah Ismail, who was also a poet, wrote Turkish mystic poems with Hatayi penname.