Persian Period (16th Century - 1828)
History:
During the Turkish-Persian wars between the periods of 1513-1737, Yerevan was conquered and passed from conqueror to conqueror a total of fourteen times. In 1604-1606, under the order of Shah Abbas I of Persia (1571-1629) , several hundred thousand Armenians, including citizens from Yerevan, were deported to Persia. As a result, the population became predominantly Muslim (Persians, Turks, and Kurds). However, since the great majority of invaders were semi-sedentary or nomadic, the Armenians dominated various professions and trades in the area and were of great economic significance to the Persian administration.
On June 7, 1679, a devastating earthquake razed the city to the ground. Between the years 1736 to1828, Erivan (Yerevan) was a part of the Safavid Persian Empire and was recognized as the administrative center of Erivan Khanate .
Portrait of Shah Abbas I of Persia
The Blue Mosque in Yerevan, 18th Century
(commonly Known also as Persian Mosque)
Illustration of Yerevan by French Traveller Jean Chardin in 1673