Economy and Trade

The Safavid shahs and affluent urban middle class were both an active part in the trade and manufacturing activity. Most goods in the empire traveled by horse or camel caravans and although the roads were poor the government built resting stops for travelers. During the reign of a strong ruler the roads were kept clean from ruffians.
Safavid Persia at its height rivaled the great Persian empires of the past although it probably was not as prosperous as its neighbors to the east and west. Their neighbors the Moguls and the Ottomans were hemmed in by the sea power of the Europeans and the land power of the Ottomans. Trade from the Safavids to the Europeans was usually difficult.