The roots of traditional Qajar painting can be found in the style of painting that arose during the preceding Safavid empire.

Although the Uzbeks continued to make occasional raids to Khorasan, the Safavid empire was able to keep them at bay throughout its reign.

Irano-Russian relations particularly picked up as a weakened Safavid empire gave way to the Qajarid dynasty in the mid-18th century.

The Safavid empire became weak towards the end of the 17th century CE.

By the early 18th century, the once mighty Safavid empire was in the grips of civil war.

Foreigners had ruled the Safavid empire for years, when Shia movements began in the 15th century.

Although Ismāil was defeated and his capital was captured, the Safavid empire survived.

As the ulema became more at home in the Safavid empire, they also became more authoritarian and even bigoted.

In the early 1700s, the Safavid empire had begun its slow decline, but still managed to capture and hold Kandahar.

In 1795 he ravaged Georgia, a kingdom to the north of Persia, which was formerly part of the Safavid empire.