Ismail

views updated Jun 08 2018

Ismail (1486–1524) Shah of Persia (Iran) (1501–24), founder of the Safavid dynasty. A national and religious hero in Iran, he re-established Persian independence and established Shi'ite Islam as the state religion. He warred successfully against the Uzbeks in 1510, but was defeated by Ottoman Sultan Selim I at the Battle of Chaldiran (1514).

Ismāʿīl

views updated May 11 2018

Ismāʿīl (eldest son of Abraham): see ISHMAEL.