What is it about?
This work explores the journey of a commercial agent and emissary of Shah Abbas through Europe and the succession of erroneous decisions that led to the rupture of relations with the Spanish Monarchy.
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Why is it important?
The work raises the difficulties of all kinds surrounding Khwaja Safar's journey, and since Shah Abbas, after the absurd end of the silk business, ceased to trust the promises of alliance of the Spanish monarchy. The important thing is to point out that Shah Abbas did not act in a capricious way, he was forced by the lack of confidence in the alliance promises that never arrived and was worsened by the absurd end of the silk business. Hence the insignificance of the embassy of García de Silva y Figueroa and the negotiations with the English that preceded the seizure of Hormuz.
Perspectives
This work began as an analysis of Khwaja Safar's trip that allowed me to analyze other specific aspects such as the deterioration of relations between the Spanish monarchy and Shah Abbas. I hope this study will help to understand the causes of the end of the Spanish Monarchy's presence in the Safavid Iran.
Dr Jose Cutillas Ferrer
University of Alicante
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This page is a summary of: Armenians, Diplomats, and Commercial Agents of Shah ʿAbbās: The European Journey of Khvāja Safar (c. 1609–14), Journal of Persianate Studies, October 2018, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/18747167-12341320.
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