This book investigates how the transformation of Isfahan into the capital of the Safavid Empire reshaped the city's architecture and urban fabric to reflect a new politico-religious agenda. Sussan Babaie examines the immense building campaign initiated in 1590-91, which converted Isfahan from a provincial city into the center of the first Imami Shi'i empire. The study explores the architectural and urban forms, as well as the socio-cultural networks, that characterized this early-modern Perso-Shi'i practice of kingship. It details how the historical process of Shi'ification in Safavid Iran was intertwined with the deployment of the arts to situate shifts in the imperial household's agenda.

The book is recognized for its detailed examination of Safavid Isfahan, focusing on the intricate relationship between statecraft, Shi'ism, and architectural development. Scholars have noted its contribution to understanding early modern urbanism and the visual culture of imperial power. The work is appreciated for its nuanced analysis of how the city's physical transformation served to solidify a new politico-religious identity. It is considered a significant study for those interested in Iranian history, Islamic architecture, and the dynamics of imperial patronage.