Gunpowder Empires

Chapter 21-22?

Ottomans in Middle East, Mughals in India, China & Japan

Middle East, India, China Dominated postclassical period

But position challenged in 1450-1750

Lingering vibrancy makes these areas less affected by European expansion

Seeds of 19th century subordinance laid

Muslim EmpiresOttomans, Safavids, & Mughals: from Bridge b/t Civs to Gunpowder Empires

Chapter 21, pgs 456-480

The Ottoman Empirecrash course intro

Istanbul song

Turkey?When most think of Turkey, they think of…

Why are the birds called this? And, what can we learn from their names?

…instead of…

Etymology of “Turkey” Result of the Turks being the primary

merchants responsible for trading the guinea fowl in Europe

Thus, when Spain opened the Americas, the domesticated birds found in the Aztec Empire gradually grew to be called, “turkeys.” In fact, the Ottomans were such import traders

that corn was originally called, “turkey corn.”

Ottomans: Warriors to Empire

Question Describe conflicts and competition that

served to undermine Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese governments.

Janissaries Elite gunpowder force of Sultan

Part of Devshirme Process of enslaving young Christian boys Given a test

High performers – bureaucrats Others – Janissaries

Based on the creation of a new slave aristocracy

Ottomans: Warriors to Empire

Question Compare and contrast the Janissary corps and

Chinese scholar-gentry.

Mughals Central Asian descendants of Mongols &

Tamerlane seek to fill power vacuum Remember…rule of India is regionalism

Warrior elites depose Delhi Sultanate & begin building an empire of Muslim ruling elite over Hindu majority

Akbar the Great Conquers much of India using cannons &

muskets to defeat elephant units Efforts to build prosperous empire

Improve lives of women & poor Trade-based economy: vigorous internal trade due to

unification, external trade of manufactures for silver & Asian goods brought by Europeans

Ease tension b/t Hindus & Muslims

Religious Movements in Response to Hindu-

Muslim Life

In addition to Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi…Sikhism:

Started 10 prophets, called Gurus Evidence of period & prolonged contact b/t Hindus &

Muslims

1.Karma Reincarnation2.Belief in enlightenment rather than heaven/hell3.One God, pray 5 times daily4.No caste system

Decline – Weak Successors Few can follow vigor of Akbar’s leadership &

desire to help foster prosperous society Shah Jahan & grandeur

Few maintain efforts to ease societal tensions Aurangzeb: gunpowder & Islamic emphasis gone too

far

Reflect1. Describe conflicts and competition that

served to undermine Ottoman and Mughal governments.

2. Evaluate the extent to which the Ottomans and Mughals represent a departure in Middle Eastern and Indian history.

3. Compare the Ottoman and Mughal empires.

Safavids: the Shia Challenge Turkish warriors conquer Persia in wake of Mongols

Promoted Shia Islam

Developed a key rivalry with Ottomans Case Study: Ottoman victory at the Battle of Chaldiran:

Shia v. Sunni - ends Persian / Shia expansion Gunpowder v Gunpowder - bloody

Demise of Safavids1. Succession – harem, rival princes, & isolation of

princes limited successful rule

2. Conservatism – slave-bureaucrats’ monopoly on gunpowder limits innovation

3. Internal strife – factional disputes with warrior elites

4. External pressure – European influence more detrimental due to relative weakness of Safavid technology