Treaty of Istanbul (1590)
- When
- 1590
- Where
- Constantinople
- Episodes
- 1
The Treaty of Constantinople, signed on 21 March 1590, ended the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1578–1590. It resulted in Ottoman retention of territorial gains and imposed religious restrictions on the Safavids, though the status quo was short-lived.
Episodes
Background and detail
Background. The conflict began when the Ottomans under Murad III invaded Safavid Georgia during a period of Safavid weakness under Mohammad Khodabanda. By 1588, Abbas I had ascended the throne but faced domestic instability, allowing the Ottomans to capture Baghdad and Ganja.
Negotiation. Facing multiple fronts and internal civil wars, Abbas I opted for unconditional peace. This decision led to the treaty, which was a success for the Ottomans as they annexed vast areas, while the Safavids suffered severe disadvantages.
Terms. The treaty stipulated that the Ottoman Empire kept most of its war gains. It also included a clause requiring the Safavids to stop cursing the first three caliphs, a restriction present since the Peace of Amasya in 1555.
Aftermath. The new status quo proved short-lived. During the reign of Ahmet I, the Safavids regained most of their losses while the Ottomans were engaged with Celali revolts. This recovery was formalized in the Treaty of Nasuh Pasha, twenty-two years later.
People involved
- Ottoman Empire · Treaty party
- Safavid Empire · Treaty party
- Abbas I · Safavid King
- Murad III · Ottoman Sultan
Sources
- Treaty of Constantinople (1590) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-04-14
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