The Islamic Gunpowder Empires

Overview

• Empires: Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, Mughal Empire
• Geography:
  • Ottoman: Eastern Europe, North Africa, Western Middle East
  • Safavid: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan
  • Mughal: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India

Duration

• Ottoman Empire: 1300-1922 (600 years)
• Safavid Empire: 1501–1736
• Mughal Empire: 1526-1857 (300 years)

Rise to Power

Ottoman Empire

• Notable leaders: Four powerful sultans, Mehmed (took Constantinople in 1451), Selim (defeated Safavids, captured Mecca and Medina, took Cairo)
• Strategy: Military conquests, expansion into North Africa

Safavid Empire

• Founded by Isma'il, conquered Persia and parts of Iraq
• Proclaimed himself shah (king)

Mughal Empire

• Founded by Babur, expanded through military conquests

Military Influence

Ottoman Empire

• Elite 30,000 soldiers called janissaries
• Pioneers in using gunpowder, cannons

Safavid Empire

• Christian boys pressed into service, imported European weapons
• Advanced military tactics

Mughal Empire

• Military used to gain and maintain land

Role of Islam

Ottoman Empire

• Practiced orthodox Islam, granted religious freedom to Christians and Jews

Safavid Empire

• Promoted Shiʿism, conflicted with Sunni Ottomans

Mughal Empire

• Akbar promoted religious freedom, combined Islamic and Hindu beliefs

High Achievements

Ottoman Empire

• Conquests, naval strength, culture (law, literature, art)

Safavid Empire

• Military advancements, artistic capital of Isfahan

Mughal Empire

• Cultural blending, architectural achievements, literary revival

Notable Leaders

Ottoman Empire

• Suleyman the Lawgiver: Military expansions, cultural development

Safavid Empire

• Shah Abbas: Ruled 1588-1629, military and cultural advancements

Mughal Empire

• Akbar: Liberal ruler, military power, cultural blending, religious freedom

Government Systems

Ottoman Empire

• Monarchical, sultans, Sunni Islam

Safavid Empire

• Land controlled by Shah, merit-based appointments, severe anti-corruption

Mughal Empire

• Bureaucracy, merit-based governance, inclusive taxation policy

Use of Religion

Ottoman and Safavid Empires

• Sunni vs. Shia conflicts

Mughal Empire

• Akbar's religious tolerance, abolished non-Muslim taxes

Art, Architecture, and Culture

Ottoman Empire

• Rich art and architecture, blending cultures

Safavid Empire

• Silk weaving, carpet weaving, Shia identity

Mughal Empire

• Miniature paintings, architecture (Akbarnamah, Fethpur Sikiri city)

Decline of Empires

Ottoman Empire

• Economic weaknesses, failure to modernize

Safavid Empire

• Economic decline, internal conflicts, territorial loss to Ottomans and Russians

Mughal Empire

• Post-Akbar decline, poor leadership, resource drain, led to eventual fall