Religious and Cultural Policies of Kiaids Dynasty

Kiaids was a Shiite dynasty that started to rule in Gilan, northern Iran, relating themselves to Zeidi sect, but midway they converted to twelver Shiism to obtain the support of the Safavids.  Kiaids who also claimed of being the decsendants of Imam Sajjad, (the fourth Imam of twelver Shiism) ruled for two centuries and was overtrown by Shah Abbas I. In this thesis we seek to prove that what made the Zeidi people of the region to welcome Kiaids rule was their Shiism and claims of being related with the infallible Imam, resulting in their successful government through some special cultural, religious, economic and political policies. Due to the requirments of the era, Kiaids converted to twelver Shiism and put their effort to preach it. Generally it seems that they were leneint to the followers of other sects and religions that is reflected in the public satisfaction with them. Khan Ahmad Khan, the last Kia ruler, made some mistakes such as getting closer to Ottoman empire and Russia that ended in his disputes with the Safavi Sultan. He took refuge into the Ottoman empire and triggered the termination of the dynasty.