In Search of Allegiance: Shah Tahmasp's Communication with Zaynal Bayg of Hakkari

Abstract

The Kurdish emirate of Hakkari played a very important role in the interaction between the Ottoman and Safavid empires. Brought under Ottoman control, in the course of the sixteenth century Hakkari turned into one of the principal frontier emirates, connected through frontier regions with the main centers of the Safavid state via Adharbayjan. Despite its Ottoman position in the sixteenth century, we know precious little about Safavid efforts to gain the allegiance of Hakkari. One of Shah Tahmasp's existing letters, published here for the first time, illustrates his side of the correspondence with the Hakkari emir Zaynal Bayg, and helps to explain a few obscure points in the Safavid-Kurdish relationship.