The Economic Factors of the Safavid – Ottoman Conflicts in the Caucasus and its Consequences (1523-1629)

The Caucasus has a particular significance in history in terms of either geography or commercial. The diverse environment of Caucasus substantially caused a prosperous agriculture, animal husbandry, silk production and finally increased generative human resources. In the meantime, the two powerful neighbors, Safavid and Ottomans, began competing over the exploitation of Caucasus. Studying on the history of Safavid-Ottoman conflicts that occurred in Caucasus during the reigns of Shah Tahmasb I to the end of Shah Abbas I (1523-1629), the present study focuses on the consequences of Safavid-Ottoman with the view of economic conflicts. The findings show that in spite of religio-political issues between the two powers, the economic interest had been the core motive for the conflicts.