Evolutions of the Meanings of the Word Qizilbash

During Sheikh Heidar Safavid era a typical red hat emerged and was used by political-religious system followers. This red hat became a symbol of the system. This symbolic hat survived the Safavid government, and the people who used the hat were called Qizilbash. The word “Qizilbash” up to contemporary period has different concepts and meanings in different regions of Safavid, Ottoman and Uzbak governments. This concept was different in various regions and eras. Regarding the importance of the precise concept of Qizilbash in different historical contexts, the aim of this study is to determine the meaning of the word “Qizilbash” in various regions and periods using historical references as well as three political-geographical regions historiographical references.