Total Listeners: 152,290

Total Downloads: 7,196,912

Sunday

Battle of Chaldiran (1514)

Listen to "Battle of Chaldiran (1514)"

The Battle of Chaldiran was fought in northwestern Persia in 1514. It was fought between the Ottomans (dominant Sunni Muslims from Turkey) and the Safavids (inexperienced Shiite Muslims from Persia). The Ottomans, who had both a numerical advantage and a technological advantage, easily won the battle. However, they chose not to continue the campaign into the Safavid capital.

After this battle, the Ottomans experienced a short period of growth, followed by centuries of decline. They were eventually defeated in WWI.

As for the Safavids, they experienced a long period of growth until they too were finally overcome by Afghan clans in 1722.

For more information, read Worlds Together, Worlds Apart by Robert Tignor et. al.

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine