SHAH AL-SAFAWI AND HIS MASSACRE OF THE KURDS (MAHMUDI, PRADUST, MUKARY, AND BANI) 1605-1629

Abstract

This research investigates the command to mass murder Kurdish tribes by Shah Abbas Sefawi (1588 - 1629). During his time in power, many Kurdish regions faced genocide and persecution. The order of mass killing of the Mehmudi, Bradosti, Mukri and Baneyi, however was an order from Shah himself. As the result of this genocidal campaign, a large number of innocent women and children faced detention and dispersal. Most of the women were given to the Qizilbash rulers as gifts; Kurdish lands, villages and belongings were also given to Qizilbash. This was part of the agreement that, when the Qizilbash forces waged any genocidal campaign, they had the right to take all the belongings of their enemies for themselves; in addition, they made sure that no signs of civilization were left in these areas. As the result of these mass murders, the demographic composition of many Kurdish regions changed and became Turkified, including: Mako, Urmia, Khoy, Salmas, Soldos, Maragheh, Miandoab, Takab and Shahin dezh.