Ottoman–Safavid war (1603–1612)

The Ottoman–Safavid War of 1603–1612 was a conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire. It began with a Safavid offensive led by Shah Abbas I, who sought to recover territories lost in previous wars, particularly during the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1578-1590.

Abbas I capitalized on the Ottoman Empire's internal problems, including the Jelali Revolts and the succession of a less experienced sultan, Ahmed I. He launched a surprise attack, swiftly retaking Tabriz, Nakhchivan, and Erivan (Yerevan) in 1603-1604. The Safavid forces pursued a scorched-earth policy in the Caucasus, deporting Armenian populations to Persia to weaken the Ottoman hold on the region and populate newly conquered territories.

The war continued with varying degrees of success for both sides. The Ottomans, hampered by internal unrest and logistical difficulties, struggled to mount a consistent counter-offensive. Abbas I, meanwhile, reformed his army and utilized innovative tactics, including the use of mobile cavalry and artillery.

Key battles included the recapture of Ganja in 1606 and the siege and capture of Shirvan in 1607. The Ottomans attempted to regain lost ground, but their campaigns were often plagued by poor leadership and supply problems.

The war concluded with the Treaty of Nasuh Pasha in 1612. This treaty largely restored the borders to those established by the Treaty of Amasya in 1555. The Safavids regained control over territories including Azerbaijan, Dagestan, and parts of eastern Anatolia. The treaty marked a significant victory for the Safavid Empire and a period of relative stability between the two powers. However, the peace was short-lived, as tensions soon resurfaced, leading to further conflicts in subsequent years.