Relations of the Safavid State of Azerbaijan with European States and the International Political Views of Shah Abbas I (1587-1629)
Hajar Ahmadova
Abstract. This article examines the foreign policy and international relations of the Safavid state in the early seventeenth century through the accounts of European travelers. The main objective of the study is to analyze Shah Abbas I’s political and diplomatic views regarding the Ottoman Empire, European states, and the Papacy based on the observations of Pietro della Valle and Don García de Silva y Figueroa. The research employs comparative-historical and source-critical methods. The article discusses Shah Abbas I’s political and military strategy toward the Ottoman Empire, his diplomatic relations with European powers, and his perception of international political developments. Pietro della Valle’s accounts demonstrate the Shah’s familiarity with the Papacy, the Spanish monarchy, and the religious-political situation in Europe. Likewise, the diplomatic mission of Don García de Silva y Figueroa is evaluated as an important example of Safavid efforts to establish closer relations with European states.
The study concludes that Shah Abbas I was not only a regional ruler but also a far-sighted statesman with a profound understanding of international affairs. His foreign policy was based on the combination of military strength, diplomatic engagement, and international cooperation. The accounts of European travelers constitute valuable sources for understanding the position of the Safavid state within the international system of the early seventeenth century.
Keywords: Shah Abbas I, Pietro della Valle, Don García de Silva y Figueroa, Safavid State, Ottoman Empire, diplomatic relations, European travelers