Investigating and Analyzing the Military Tactics of the Safavid Era since Shah Ismail to Shah Abbas I (907-1038 AH)

Numerous structural, political, economic, and tactical factors were involved in the strengths and weaknesses of the Safavid military forces, each of which requiring a separate evaluation opportunity. The present article focuses solely on the role and influence of the tactical factor in the military achievements and failures of the Safavids. Using a historical (descriptive-analytical) method, it tries to discuss the combat tactics used by the Safavid army and the role of these methods in the Safavid military defeats and victories. The findings show that the Safavids mainly chose their war tactics based on time and space requirements, offensive or defensive positions, number of troops and military equipment and other conditions. The most important of these tactics were regular warfare, irregular warfare, castle warfare, urban battle, and destruction of resources. Although the Safavids were generally successful in adopting the best war method, sometimes superior military methods of the enemy and some miscalculations by the Safavids, and consequently adopting inappropriate war method imposed huge costs to the country and the government in various respects.