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What happened at the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514?

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This map shows the territorial expansion of the Ottoman Empire from 1300 to its greatest extent in 1683-99, highlighting different periods under rulers such as Mehmed II, Selim I, and Süleyman the Magnificent, and marking key cities, seas, and geographical boundaries in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. — Ottoman Empire Map showing the expansion of the Ottoman Empire from about 1300 to 1700. The empire reached its greatest extent between 1683 and 1699.

The Battle of Chāldirān, fought on August 23, 1514, was a decisive military engagement between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid dynasty of Iran.1

Sultan Selim I led a massive, disciplined army of over 100,000 troops against the smaller, cavalry-reliant forces of Shah Ismāʿīl I. The Ottomans utilized superior technology, including heavy field artillery and Janissary infantry armed with muskets. By employing a defensive formation known as tabur jangi—using carts and wagons as barricades—the Ottomans successfully repelled repeated Safavid cavalry charges with devastating cannon and musket fire.12

The battle resulted in a rout of the Safavid army and allowed the Ottomans to capture the capital of Tabriz. This victory secured Ottoman control over eastern Anatolia and critical silk trade routes, establishing a frontier that largely defines the modern border between Turkey and Iran. Following the defeat, Shah Ismāʿīl’s political influence was severely diminished, and he largely withdrew from active military engagement.1