The Qizilbash confederacy, known for its fierce loyalty to the Safavid shahs, was composed of several Turkoman tribes, including the Afshar, Shamlu, Ustajlu, Tekelu, and Qajar. Their military service and tribal alliances formed the backbone of Safavid power. The Qajars’ initial importance derived not only from their martial skill but also from their political adaptability — they aligned with the emerging Safavid state and were rewarded with governorships and military commands.
During the early Safavid period, the Qajars gained administrative and military posts in Azerbaijan, Shirvan, and Ganja. However, their fortunes fluctuated with the rise and fall of dynasties. The collapse of the Safavids in 1722 and the subsequent Afghan invasion created a vacuum of power that plunged Iran into chaos. Amid this disorder, various regional leaders, including Nader Shah Afshar, attempted to restore order. Although Nader Shah reasserted Iranian sovereignty, his assassination in 1747 triggered renewed instability — a condition that paved the way for the Qajars’ eventual rise to power.
The Rise of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar
The founder of the Qajar dynasty, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar (1742–1797), was a figure of extraordinary political ambition and personal resilience. Born into the Ashaqa-bash branch of the Qajar tribe, he spent his early life amidst tribal warfare and shifting alliances. His father, Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar, was a notable tribal leader who sought to establish Qajar dominance in northern Iran but was defeated and killed by Karim Khan Zand, the founder of the Zand dynasty.
