Position and Role of the Kujuji Family in the Court Organization of the Safavid Era (910-1092 AH)

The Kujujis were one of the ancient families of Tabriz who served in the Safavid Diwani organization after adopting Shiite religion. This research has used a descriptive-analytical method based on sources and manuscripts and is aimed to examine the lineage and the role and position of this family in the Safavid court organization. The findings show that the Kujujis played a significant role in directing and drawing the attention of Ismail Safavi for invasion and occupation of Azerbaijan, as well as the final defeat of the Sufis. They also contributed to the transfer and continuation of Diwani traditions to the Safavid era and obtained high positions in the Safavid Diwani organization until the early reign of Shah Abbas, despite their tumultuous relationship with the kings, however, they were subsequently excluded from all Diwani arenas. Strangely, the Kujujis did not claim sovereignty before the Safavid era, but in early Safavid sources they were referred to as the Sadats who were descended from the fourth Imam of the Shiites, and some of them tended to do so from the late eleventh century bearing the title of “Sadat Hosseini”.