Shah Abbas II (Persian: شاه عباس دوم) (born 31 December 1632 ^[1]; died 25/26 October 1666) was Shah of Iran from 1642 to 1666. He was the seventh Shah of the Safavid Dynasty. He was the son of Shah Safi I and a Circassian, Anna Khanum^[2], and originally bore the name Sultan Muhammed Mirza before his coronation on May 15, 1642. Since he was less than ten years old when he became shah, the job of governing Persia was placed in the hands of the grand vizier Saru Taqi, while Abbas concentrated on his education.

Saru Taqi led a drive against corruption and made many enemies. On October 11, 1645 he was assassinated by a group of army officers. He was succeeded by Khalifa Sultan, who held the office of grand vizier until his death in 1653 or 1654.

Unlike his father, Abbas took an active interest in government once he began to rule for himself (probably around age 15). His reign was relatively peaceful and is significant for being free of any Ottoman attack. In 1648 Abbas managed to conquer Kandahar and hold it against attacks by Mughal India. He died in Khusruabad near Damghan on the night of 25-26 October, 1666. The early death of this capable ruler was greatly regretted.

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• The Cambridge History of Iran Volume 6, edited by William Bayne Fisher (1968)

Abbas II of Persia Safavid Dynasty
Preceded by Shah Safi	Shah of Iran 1642–1666	Succeeded by Suleiman I