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Muslim Empires
1450-1800
Chapter 19
AGE OF GUNPOWDER
EMPIRES 1450 – 1800
CHANGED THE BALANCE
OF POWER
This term applies to a number of states, all of which
rapidly expanded during the late 15th and over the entire
16th century. Most significant were Portugal, Spain, the
Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire, and the Mughal
Empire but also included England, France, Tokugawa
(Japan), Romanov Russia, and Ming/Manchu (Qing)
China
THE ISLAMIC EMPIRES 1500-
1800
Three Islamic Empires dominate from southern Europe to
Northern India from 1500-1800
Ottoman Empire (Balkans, Middle East, North Africa, & Eastern
Europe)
Safavid Empire (Persia); Shia Islam
Mughal Empire (Northern India)-had lasting Islamic cultural impact
Common Characteristics
• Religion (of the rulers at least…)
• All three Islamic empires were military creations
• Governing
• Autocratic: emperors imposed their will on the state
• Ongoing problems with royal succession
• Ottoman rulers legally killed brothers after taking the throne
• Influence of Royal and Upper-Class Women
• Harem
• Harem politics: women often influenced policies, selections
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
RISE OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE
• Founded in 1289 by Osman • Later Expand into outer regions of
Byzantine Empire • Successful because of gunpowder in early
sieges • Use of Janissary Corps
• Christian troops raised by Ottomans • Were slaves, but paid well • Provided for by Gov – Loyal • Gunpowder weapons
• 14th-15th centuries: Expand into South Eastern Europe
• 1453: Conquer Constantinople • Under the leadership of Mehmed II (r.
1451-1481) • Absolute monarchy; centralized state
Politics of the Ottoman Empire
• Sultans control politics and
economy
• Promoted religious toleration
to “People of the Books”
• Separate themselves from
the masses
• Sultans will promote cultural
heritage and development
• Architecture
• Coffeehouses
Ottoman SOCIAL STRUCTURE
• Four Main Social Groups:
• Men of the pen
• Men of the sword
• Men of negotiations
• Men of husbandry
• Social Mobility becomes more rigid over time
• Women had no rights aside from tradition, class, husbands’ wishes
THE Ottoman MILLET system
• Millet System: Different communities based on religion throughout the empire
• Each millet was headed by its own religious dignitary
•Advised sultan on affairs in the community
•Was punished by sultan for problems of the community
• In the millet system each community was responsible for
•Taxes
•Education
•Legal Matters: Marriage, Divorce, Inheritance
SULEYMAN THE
MAGNIFICENT
• Empire at its height under Suleyman
• Reigned 1520-1566
• Conquered lands in Europe, Asia, Africa
• Syria, modern-day Israel, Egypt
• Hungary, Croatia, Rumania
• Siege of Vienna (Austria) in 1529 failed
• Built powerful navy to rule Mediterranean
• Encouraged development of arts
• Beautified Constantinople with mosques
• Empire began a slow decline after Suleyman
WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF OTTOMAN
DECLINE IN THE 17TH CENTURY?
• Reached limits of expansive
power early on
• Too large to be maintained
• High taxes on peasants
• Corruption of govt. officials &
weak rulers
• Declining position of women
Achievements of Muslim Empires
• Math and Astronomy • Indian System (0-9)
• Algebra
• Maps
• Sunrise/sunset times
• Physics in Chemistry • Optics • Alchemy
• Biology and Medicine • Opened body for
study
• Hospitals (Free)
• Medicine • Kept records
• Trained physicians
• Medical Encyclopedias
• TOOK GREEK KNOWLEDGE FORWARD – RENAISSANCE
Safavid persia
(1501-1736)
Origins of the Safavid Empire
• Founder: Shah Ismail (r. 1501-1524)
Conquers much of modern-day Iran and Iraq
Title “Shah” was originally used by ancient Persian dynasties
Shi’a Islam
Religiously intolerant – forced conversion
Tries to convert Sunni Muslims in Ottoman Empire
Shah Abbas the Great (r. 1588-1629)
Greatest of all Safavid leaders
Went to war with Ottoman Empire
to regain territories lost in earlier
battles
Safavids fail at this effort BUT,
they sign a peace treaty with
the Ottomans (1612) and regain
some territory
Modernized military
Made Alliances with Europe
Invited European merchants into
country
Created strong bureaucracy
Safavid Society and Economy/Culture
SOCIETY
Traditional Social
Structure
Women are forced to
wear the veil and live in
seclusion
Young boys kidnapped
and enslaved (like
Janissaries)
Strong emphasis on
artisans, engineers and
merchants
ECONOMY/CULTURE
Main Exports: Silk
items and Persian rugs
Government invests
money in cultural
achievements
Isfahan (capital)
Architecture (City
planning; mosques)
Literature, poetry
and music
Decline of the Safavid Empire
Leaders kept in seclusion from the
people
Inept leadership
Invaded by nomadic tribes in 1722
Gets caught in the middle of many
territorial and political battles
The Mughal Empire
• Zahir al-Din Muhammad (Babur) invaded
northern India in 1523 • Descendant of Chinggis Khan Conquered
Delhi in 1526
• Controlled empire extending from
Afghanistan to most of India
The Mughal Empire
• Mughal Empire expanded under Akbar the Great (r.
1556-1605)
• Established Mughal (“Mongol”) Dynasty Ruled with
absolute power
• Established a centralized government Took personal
power
• Expanded empire into southern India Tolerant of many
religions • Tried to reduce tensions between Hindus and Muslims Encouraged “Divine Faith” which focused on the emperor
The Mughal Empire
•Empire reached peak under Aurangzeb (r.
1659-1707)
•Expanded Mughal Empire to its greatest
extent
•Almost all of India except southern tip
•Did not follow Akbar’s policy of toleration
•Imposed Islam on empire Destroyed Hindu
temples Taxed Hindus
•Caused further resentment among Hindus
Mughal Culture
• Akbar’s tolerant policies helped unify the empire • A conflict of cultures led to the end of this
empire, but resulted in a culture unique to the Mughal Empire.
• Cultures that blended in the empire included
Muslims
• Hindus
• Persians Indians
Failure of Mughal Dynasty
• After Akbar needed reforms were ignored
• Government bureaucracy corrupt
• Army behind in weaponry & tactics technology
too many building projects
• Less religious tolerance Empire becomes too
large internal rebellions
• Rulers extravagant & pleasure seeking