Personality of Shah Ismail I
Shah Ismail I Khatayi was born on 23 June, 1487 in the city of Ardabil. He was the descendent of the Sheikh Safiaddin. His father was Sheikh Haydar who ruled over Ardabil province, and his mother was Alamshah Beyim, Uzun Hasan's daughter – the sovereign of Agqoyunlu state.
From an early age, Shah Ismail showed great interest in sports, horse racing, and often went hunting. Various sources report that he hunted bears, lions, and tigers.
In 1518, a Venetian merchant after meeting with shah Ismail in Tabriz wrote: “He is 31-year-old at the moment. He is a medium height , very handsome and courageous. He shaves his beard off and keeps a moustache. Even though being left-handed he is much stronger than other emirs. During archery training he usually gives orders to play music. He loves dancing. He every day goes to hold archery competitions with the emirs and always gives prizes to the winners of the day...”
Till now legends also speak of Shah Ismail's extraordinary physical strength. The source of the 17th century describes the following scenes: “He dug in the earth the hole, brought the ram and dug it into the earth so that only the horns were coming out, and himself getting on the horse, and riding the horse at full gallop towards his target; reaching it, caught up with it, he bent over the horse to grab the ram by the horns pulled it out the hole, three times swaying it around and throwing it forward, so that is why he was called “gochkapan” that means “a man lifting rams”.
Shah Ismail very emotionally and courageously reacted to cowardice and weakness. He cared about warriors who were distinguished by fearlessness and courage.
In chronicle of “Tarihi-i alam arayi Ismail” was written: “He lived 38 years and ruled 24 years.Those who were subordinate to him they were ruled with justice. Owing to their fear of the sovereign, nobody displayed cruelty and deception to people. His majesty was the courageous knight on the battle fields. In all battles he was in the head of his troops”.
He had a beautiful singing voice. He played oud-like musical instrument “barbet” and sang. He began writing poetry as a child.
Shah Ismail was also known for his drawing and calligraphy skills and loved to read books. By his personal example, he made the Azerbaijani Turkish language the state and literary language.
The famous Austrian Orientalist von Hammer wrote: "The appearance of Ismail on the historical stage at the beginning of the 16th century caused such significant events that his rule became one of the most important periods in the political and religious history of Asia."
Prominent scientists about Shah Ismail I
* “Shah Ismail I's strong personality was valued differently by his contemporaries. However, all his contemporaries acknowledged his innate military talent. His activity in the field of creation of a large state consisting of different tribes and the organization of a capable civil administration confirm that he is a prominent political figure ....
The leading political role in the Safavid state, in any case, before the reforms
of Shah Abbas I, belonged to the Azerbaijanis - the Qizilbash tribes. They formed the
basis of the feudal army; their emirs divided most of the land fund among
themselves; from them were appointed high courtiers high court courtiers, provincial deputies,
and commanders; Azerbaijani was the dominant language in the palace and army.
I.P. Petrushevsky, Soviet Orientalist
* "When the young, young 13-year-old Ismail seized political power,
many believed that the emirs who solved all the operational issues
were behind him. However, the numerous successes on the battlefield are Ismail's
own achievements. He inspired the warriors with his ideas. The soldiers were very
loyal to his work. At the same time, Ismail began to create statehood. Even when
he was Shah, Ismail remained the military leader of the Safavids.
H.R. Remer, British Orientalist
* "The emergence of a figure like Ismail on the historical stage at the beginning of
the 16th century led to such significant events that his rule became one of the most
important periods in the political and religious history of Asia."
Y.V. von Hammer, Austrian Orientalist
* "Even if Ismail owed his success to those around him, it is impossible to deny
that he was a prodigy."
J.P.Ru, French Orientalist
* “The foundations of the state created by Ismail have been proved to be strong
and durable. He had the ability to show his talents in the right way. ”
H. Brown, German historian
* "Ismail was distinguished by his charismatic character, leadership talent, personal
courage, as well as special talent in matters of state and political governance."
R.M. Seyvory, British Orientalist,
* “It is known from the history of the period that Ismail's partners were mainly Turkmen and Tatar tribes. Even after his accession to the throne, Ismail treated Iranian origin and language with contempt.
During the Ottoman Empire and India, when sweet Persian was the language of
politics and culture, he declared Turkic the official language. He himself wrote
poems only in Turkish, and this language was so widespread in the Safavid palace
that it remained the official language of the palace until the end of the dynasty's
rule and even after it. ”
N.Falsafi, Iranian historian
* Even if Ismail did not completely deny the Persian language, he was, of course,
thinking in Turkic and about the Turks. In the eyes of the Turks, Ismail, who
spoke a language close to them and clear, and who created an ideal state in
Azerbaijan, was deified. Shah Ismail was the accepted leader of the Qizilbash
tribes that brought him to the throne.
J.L. Bake-Gramont, French Orientalist
* “Ismail's great popularity is evidenced by the writings of an anonymous merchant in the Safavid state.
The Venetian merchant writes that Shah Ismail is loved by his people as God.
Many of his warriors themselves are thrown into battle unarmedbecause they are convinced that Ismail,
their ruler, will save them in battle. Soldiers who are ready to die for their rulers
are thrown into battle shouting "Sheikh!"
O.A. Afandiyev, Azerbaijani historian and scientist