03.07.2013 Views

TURKOMANS BETWEEN TWO EMPIRES: THE ... - Bilkent University

TURKOMANS BETWEEN TWO EMPIRES: THE ... - Bilkent University

TURKOMANS BETWEEN TWO EMPIRES: THE ... - Bilkent University

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

from - and provided immunity against the interference of - the powerful sunni Ottoman<br />

empire. So the Safavid state could attain distinctive territorial, political, and ideological<br />

identity, creating a sense of unity among her subjects. 991<br />

5.3. REPERCUSSION AMONG ANATOLIAN <strong>TURKOMANS</strong> AND <strong>THE</strong><br />

OTTOMAN RESPONSE<br />

5.3.1. Echoes in Anatolia and Ottoman Measures<br />

The testimony of a contemporary Venetian merchant, who made business in Safavid<br />

lands between 1507 and 1510, even met Ismail himself, clearly shows how strong the<br />

connection between the Safavid power and Anatolian Turkomans was: “During my stay<br />

in Tauris [Tabriz] 992 , men were continually flocking to his standard, from all parts of the<br />

country, but especially from Natolia [Anatolia], Turkey, and Caramania, Ismael<br />

presenting gifts to them all according to their rank and condition.” 993 Needless to say,<br />

thus, Ismail’s success rose upon the swords of his warrior Turkoman disciples mostly<br />

coming from Ottoman territories. Moreover, these tribal disciples did not constitute<br />

simply the body of the conquering ‘war machine’ of Ismail, but they, - especially sufis<br />

of Lāhijan and some newly joined tribal leaders such as Muhammad Han Ustaclu and<br />

Abdi Beg Shamlu - were also at the head of the movement heavily influencing all the<br />

vital decisions of Ismail. As already indicated, the qizilbash army was commanded by<br />

991<br />

A. K. S. Lambton, “Quis custodiet custodies”, Studia Islamica, VI, 1956, p. 126; Savory, “The<br />

Consolidation of Safawid Power in Persia”, p. 84; Iran under the Safavids, pp. 29-30.<br />

992<br />

Our merchant was in Tabriz in 1509-10 and met Ismail in person. See “The Travels of a Merchant in<br />

Persia”, in NIT, p. 201, pp. 205-206.<br />

993<br />

“The Travels of a Merchant in Persia”, in NIT, p. 194. Throughout his travel book this unknown<br />

Venetian merchant repeatedly stresses Anatolia and Qaraman as regions from where Ismail and his<br />

forefathers derived their followers.<br />

303

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!