Family tragedies and death Abbas I of Persia

shah abbas in later life page. muhammad qasim (1627).

of abbas 5 sons, 3 had survived past childhood, safavid succession seemed secure. on terms crown prince, mohammed baqir mirza (born 1587; better known in west safi mirza). in 1614, however, during campaign in georgia, shah heard rumours prince conspiring against him leading circassian, farhad beg cherkes. shortly after, mohammed baqir broke protocol during hunt killing boar before shah had chance put spear in animal. seemed confirm abbas suspicions , sunk melancholy; no longer trusted of 3 sons. in 1615, decided had no choice have mohammed killed. circassian named behbud beg executed shah s orders , prince murdered in hammam in city of resht. shah regretted action , plunged grief.

in 1621, abbas fell ill. heir, mohammed khodabanda, thought on deathbed , began celebrate accession throne qizilbash supporters. shah recovered , punished son blinding him, disqualify him ever taking throne. blinding partially successful , prince s followers planned smuggle him out of country safety mughals aid use overthrow abbas , install mohammed on throne. plot betrayed, prince s followers executed , prince himself imprisoned in fortress of alamut later murdered abbas successor, shah safi.

imam qoli mirza, third , last son, became crown prince. abbas groomed him throne but, reason, in 1627, had him partially blinded , imprisoned in alamut.

unexpectedly, abbas chose heir son of mohammed baqir mirza, sam mirza, cruel , introverted character said loathe grandfather because of father s murder. nevertheless, did succeed shah abbas @ age of 17 in 1629, taking name shah safi. abbas s health poor 1621 onwards. died @ palace in farahabad on caspian coast in 1629 , buried in kashan.