Overview
Ismail II reigned for a year and a half after spending almost twenty years imprisoned by his father at the fortress of Qahqaha. His reign was marked by the killing of his relatives and by an attempt to soften the dynasty's Shia policy.
Rise to Power
On Tahmasp's death in 1576 the Qizilbash chiefs fought over the succession; the faction backing Ismail killed his brother Haydar and brought Ismail from prison to the throne.
Rule and Achievements
- Had most of the Safavid princes killed or blinded to secure his rule
- Tried to reduce the public cursing of the first caliphs and was suspected of Sunni sympathies
Legacy
He died in November 1577, probably poisoned. His elder brother Mohammad Khodabanda, spared because he was almost blind, succeeded him.