# Ismail I

_Founder and first shah of Safavid Iran_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/ismail-i
Last updated: 2026-11-04

> Ismail I was the founder and first shah of Safavid Iran, ruling from 1501 until his death in 1524. His reign is one of the most vital in the history of Iran, and the Safavid era is often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history. Under Ismail, Iran was unified under native rule for the first time since the Islamic conquest of the country eight-and-a-half centuries earlier.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 17 July 1487 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Ardabil ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P19))
- **Died:** 23 May 1524 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P570))
- **Place of death:** Tabriz ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Safavid Iran ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P27))
- **Occupation:** governor; monarch; military leader; head of state; politician; poet ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P106))
- **Spouse:** Tajlu Begum ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P26))
- **Positions held:** list of Safavid monarchs (22 December 1501 – 23 May 1524) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559#P39))

## Questions

**When was Ismail I born?**  
Ismail I was born on 17 July 1487 in Ardabil.

**What positions has Ismail I held?**  
Positions held by Ismail I include: list of Safavid monarchs (1501–1524).

## Related

- [Abbas the Great](https://diginpl.com/people/abbas-the-great)
- [Suleiman I of Persia](https://diginpl.com/people/suleiman-i-of-persia)
- [Abbas II of Persia](https://diginpl.com/people/abbas-ii-of-persia)
- [Ismail II](https://diginpl.com/people/ismail-ii)
- [Tahmasp I](https://diginpl.com/people/tahmasp-i)
- [Mohammad Khodabanda](https://diginpl.com/people/mohammad-khodabanda)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Ismail I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_I) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q214559](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214559) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Portrait of Shah Ismail I. Inscribed "Ismael Sophy Rex Pers". Painted by Cristofano dell'Altissimo, dated 1552-1568.jpg by Cristofano dell'Altissimo (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Shah_Ismail_I._Inscribed_%22Ismael_Sophy_Rex_Pers%22._Painted_by_Cristofano_dell%27Altissimo,_dated_1552-1568.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Ismail I, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Portrait of Shah Ismail I. Inscribed "Ismael Sophy Rex Pers". Painted by Cristofano dell'Altissimo, dated 1552-1568.jpg — Cristofano dell'Altissimo, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Ismail I". DigiNepal. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/ismail-i. Retrieved 5 November 2026.