XVI-XVII əsr Azərbaycanın siyasi və mədəni həyatında Səfəvi xanedan qadınlarının rolu Role of Safavid Dynasty Women in Azerbaijan’s Political and Cultural Life in the XVI-XVII Centuries Роль женщин династии сефевидов в политической и культурной жизни азербайджана в xvı-xvıı веках

The XVI-XVII centuries, the time of the Safavid period, are considered the most colorful period in Azerbaijan’s history with their political, cultural and economic developments. Women played exceptional roles in influencing this development. During the same period, women of the ruling Safavid dynasty interfered both directly and indirectly with state policy issues, and they influenced the highestranking figures of the period in some decisions. These influential women include Parikhan khanim, Kherunnisa (Mehduyla), Zeyneb Beyim, Maryam Beyim and others. While performing research, we encountered the names of Parikhan khanim, Banuyi-Isfahani and other women who made their marks on the fields of culture, poetry and literature. In addition, women of the dynasty played significant roles in the economic sphere: they possessed wealth and established foundations; built mosques and bridges; and performed important works as benefactors providing capital to the state from their personal funds. Many facts from historical sources show that Safavid women were more free and active than their counterparts in other Muslim countries of the same period. The article provides detailed information to its readers on this topic.