Change is an important aspect in the world that occurs every day, all the time, vast or minor. Change can modify people, countries and cultures. It causes societies to become accustomed to new lifestyles and changes ways of life. Furthermore, things can always benefit from change, whether it’s suitable for one side or both sides of the problem. Without modification, nothing today would ever exist or be brought up. Transformations over time also help the world value and apprehend the resemblances and diversities of past and present countries, such as the Safavid Empire and Armenia. The Safavid Empire, reigning from 1501 to 1722, was positioned in the area where the country of Iran is now today. Armenia is a country in Asia that borders Iran where the Safavids had built their prestigious empire. The sovereignty is known for their past alliance with the Soviet Union. The roles of people and advisors, in entirety, from local government all the way to the head government, are important attributes to be discussed, when comparing a government’s change over time. (U.S. Department of State) The Safavid Dynasty incorporated ideas that formed nations in modern time. Their government is not considered a parliament, but more or less a Council of State, which was the term used at that time. The prime minister or the Grand Vizier contains the highest level in the government. He was known to enjoy tremendous authority, but also held control over day-to-day issues in their empire and was a deputy of the Shah. The power of the prime minister down reached as far as that no new decree or act of the Shah was conceded through without the approval of the prime minister. The minister of Justice, or the Divanbegi, was one of the closest advisors to the Shah and the prime minister. When a case or criminal evidence was reported, he was the ultimate voice in all cases, whether civil or governmental. The Shah himself was in charge of the justice in his country. Shah Safi, one of the preceding rulers refused to hold the responsibility and this influenced the succeeding kings. In the royal house, the man in charge was the Nazir, or the Court Minister. He was considered the closest advisor to the Shah, and constantly watched over every inch of the property. The Court Minister’s main duty was to supervise all the officials of the house and to be in contact with the Shah. He was also a treasurer for the Shah’s other properties. The prime minister also had to work with the Nazir when it came to discuss issues relating to the Shah (Ferrier, Blow). The Safavid government included a local government which manages individual towns and counties. On a local standard, the government was divided into public land and royal possessions. The public land was ruled by governors called Khans. Qizilbash generals were appointed to posts of cities and towns in the earlier Safavid Dynasty. They were given the duty to rule their provinces like petty shahs on their own province, but had to keep an army that was ready and provide the Shah with military assistance when needed. The Qizilbash generals were also reminded that they should appoint a lawyer, or a Vakil, who would let the head government know about issues in their province. A local sheriff was selected by the Shah, rather than the choice of the people. He was role was to protect the people against unfair decisions on the part of the local governors. An official elected by the people was the Kadkhoda, who has functioned as the common law administrator who was advocating the people’s concerns. (Ferrier) In the Safavid Empire, there was minimal difference between divine justice and human justice. Their legal system went under the Islamic Jurisprudence. The Safavid Empire included two branches, the civil law and the urf. Civil law
