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Description

Qizilbash Cavalry, 17th century ; Qizilbash were a group of Shiite militias that played a key role in foundation of Persian Safavid Empire and its rise.

Shiite Muslims have had to fight for their survival from the very beginning of the Muslim Caliphate, constant oppression and persecution provoked rise of several resistance groups to fight back against cruelty of the Caliphate.

Qizilbash as devoted Shiites considered themselves as followers of those who had fought the Caliphate, such as Mukhtar al-Thaqafi who avenged the death of Hussain ibn Ali by killing several participants in his death who served the Caliphate, Babak Khorramdin, a Persian rebel who fought the Caliphate in the hope of reviving the ancient Persian faith and Abu Muslim Khorasani who overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate and helped founding the Abbasid Caliphate.

The Qizilbash formed an elite troop serving the Safavid Empire, they fought in several battles against Ottomans, Uzbeks, Mughals etc. and were among the toughest warriors of the Orient. Their successes in military and political fields made Safavid kings start worrying about their power, till Shah Abbas started scattering the Qizilbash all over the Empire to weaken them.

Description

Qizilbash Cavalry, 17th century ; Qizilbash were a group of Shiite militias that played a key role in foundation of Persian Safavid Empire and its rise.

Shiite Muslims have had to fight for their survival from the very beginning of the Muslim Caliphate, constant oppression and persecution provoked rise of several resistance groups to fight back against cruelty of the Caliphate.

Qizilbash as devoted Shiites considered themselves as followers of those who had fought the Caliphate, such as Mukhtar al-Thaqafi who avenged the death of Hussain ibn Ali by killing several participants in his death who served the Caliphate, Babak Khorramdin, a Persian rebel who fought the Caliphate in the hope of reviving the ancient Persian faith and Abu Muslim Khorasani who overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate and helped founding the Abbasid Caliphate.

The Qizilbash formed an elite troop serving the Safavid Empire, they fought in several battles against Ottomans, Uzbeks, Mughals etc. and were among the toughest warriors of the Orient. Their successes in military and political fields made Safavid kings start worrying about their power, till Shah Abbas started scattering the Qizilbash all over the Empire to weaken them.