To which

great
empire does
this map
belong ?

The Safavids Empire (1501-1736)

 AZERBAIJAN
SAFAVID EMPIRE

Social and economical life in

Azerbaijan at the late 1500s -
1600s (17 century)
th
 After
the •There was political and social stability
in Azerbaijan.
•The stability led to development of
treaty of economy, agriculture and trade.
•Till 1720s, there was no war between
Gasri- Safavids and Ottoman

Shirin
 In 17th century (1600s) Azerbaijan was divided into
4 beglerbeglik (province) under Safavids:
•Tabriz
• Centre: Tabriz
•Garabagh
• Centre: Ganja
•Shirvan
• Centre: Shamakhi
•Chukursad
• Centre: Iravan

Every province had to collect its taxes and to create its own army. The judicial system
in Azerbaijan based on Sharia - Islamic laws and rules. In beghlerbeghliks (provinces),
the financial affairs were done by viziers (vazirs).
 In 1600s, Divan •The govermental (state)
lands

the lands Khalis •These lands belonged to

a the shah´s family and
in dynasty

Azerbaijan Mulk •Private lands of Safavi feudals

(landlords)

were Tiyul
• These lands were given for military and
govermental service in Safavid state.

divided
Vakhf • These lands belonged to clergymen,

into mosques.

6 types: Ijma • The farming fields of peasants, the

forests, pastures
Feudals (landlords) were divided
into 3 groups
•1
•Military nobles (the leaders of Safavi tribes)

•2
•Clergymen (Religious nobles)

•3
•Official (govermental) nobles
 The peasants also were divided into 3 groups:
The peasants that had labor tools (work
1.Raiyyat animal,plough and etc.) for planting
lands and setting their own agriculture
The peasants that had no own
2.Ranjbar agriculture (They worked as gardener,
watchman and etc.)
The peasants that were nomads. They
herded animals and served in army.
3.Elat Therefore these peasants paid less taxes
than other peasants
Azerbaijan cities in the late
1500s - in 1600s
Azerbaijan cities located on the international trade routes. It was
the most important factor of development of Azerbaijan cities.
The merchants and craftsmen played the main role in economical life
of cities. The tax that was paid by merchants and craftsmen was tamga.
 Shah Tahmasib I abolished the tamga in 1565. This
led to the development of trade and craft in Safavids.

Azerbaijan cities
in 1500s - 1600s
Iravan was centre of Chukursad province of Safavids. Iravan was noted in
historical “Iravan castle of Azerbaijan”, “the castle of Safavi - Azerbaijan
turks”.
Tabriz was the biggest and the most significant city of Azerbaijan. Tabriz
was also well-known for its craft. Shah Tahmasib I moved capital from
Tabriz to Gazwin in 1555. It caused negative effect to the political
significance and economical development of Tabriz.
Baku was the first and the most important port-city of Azerbaijan. It had a
lot of petrol resources. Petrol was sold and carried from Baku to other
countries by sea routes and by caravans.
Shamakhi was one of the significant cities of Safavids for internal and
external trade. As the centre of Shirvan province (beglerbeghlik)
Shamakhi played great role.
Ardabil was holy city of Safavid dynasty.
Ganja was centre of Garabagh province of Safavids. Ganja was one of the
significant trade and craft cities of Azerbaijan.

Derbend was the second port-city of Azerbaijan. It was located in Shirvan

province.

There were about 35 types of taxes. The main tax was maljahat – the tax
for land and harvest