115. The Great Conversion: How Iran became Shia

This podcast episode delves into the complex history of the Sunni-Shia divide, tracing its origins to the early days of Islam and exploring its cultural and political dimensions. It focuses on the reign of Shah Ismail, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, and his role in establishing Shiism as the dominant faith in Iran. The episode discusses the clash between the Safavids and the Ottoman Empire, the rise of Selim the Grim, and the pivotal Battle of Chaldiran, culminating in the transformation of Persia into a Shiite fortress.