The Islamic Gunpowder Empires
The Ottoman Empire
The Safavid Empire
The Mughal Empire
Geography: With what area or region was the empire associated?
Eastern Europe, North Africa on the Mediterranean Sea Western parts of the Middle East
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan
Afganistan, Pakistan,
india
Duration: Over what period did the empire last?
1300-1922 600 years
(1501–1736)
1526-1857, lasted 300 years
The Rise: How did the empire rise to power?
* Four powerful sultans
* Mehmed took power in 1451, Conquered city of Constantinople
* In 1514, Selim defeated the Safavids at the Battle of Chaldiran.
* Swept south through Syria and Palestine and into North Africa.
* Selim captured Mecca and Medina, the holiest cities of Islam.
* Finally he took Cairo, the intellectual center of the Muslim world.
* The once-great civilization of Egypt had become just another province in the growing Ottoman Empire.
-an early safavid military hero named isma'il conquered most of persia and pushed into iraq. He conquered all of Iran and proclaimed himself emperor/king.(shah)
The founder of the the Mughal Empire, Babur, and his army conquered many places
Military: What role did the military play in the growth of the empire?
* elite force of 30,000 soldiers known as janissaries was trained to be loyal to the sultan only
* based on the use of gunpowder. replaced their archers on horseback with musket-carrying foot soldiers.
* They also were among the first people to use cannons as weapons of attack.
Troops consisted of christian boys pressed into service
-imported weapons from europe and relied on time to teach the troops about the new technology.
-This allowed for the military to be very advanced and play an important role at the peak of the safavids empire
The military played a huge role because that is how Babur gained his land and power.
Islam: What role did Islam play in the growth and/or maintenance of the empire?
* practices of orthodox Islam in order to counteract the increasing menace of heterodox Shiʿism among the tribes of eastern Anatolia.
* followed a strict Islamic code of conducts
* In accordance with Islamic law, the Ottomans granted freedom of worship to other religious communities, particularly to Christians and Jews.
Combined religions islam and hinduism. Encouraged religious freedom and tolerance.
The High Point: What would you consider to be the greatest
achievement during the empire?
* took on bold military campaigns that increased the amount of territory controlled by the ottomans
* increased naval strength: conquered parts of north africa
* achievements: law, literature, art and architecture
Janissaries
-weaponry from europe as well as adivison about new technology allowed for their troops to reach a high point in military advances
-he created two miliatrys to stay loyal to him
-he had strict pounishments for corruotion as well as not only using heidartary means but merit to pick his leaders
-the capital of isfahan, which used many different arts even from china
Income tax, calculating it as a percentage of
the value of the peasants crops
Urdu- “from the soldiers camp.” Blend of
Arabic, Persian, and Hindi. Official language of
Pakistan
• Hindi literature revival
Akbar “Great One”- Combined Muslim, Hindu,
Zoroastrian, Christian and Sikh beliefs
– Blended cultures – Islam and Hinduism
Sikhism – new religion, rejects Caste System
A Leader Worth
Knowing: Summarize the accomplishments of the leader mentioned for each empire.
Suleyman the Lawgiver (Suleyman the Magnificent)
* took on bold military campaigns that increased the amount of territory controlled by the ottomans
* increased naval strength: conquered parts of north africa law, literature, art and architecture
Shah Abbas
Abbas the great, he ruled from 1588-1629
Akbar
Akbar, a liberal leader, meaning “Greatest One” Ruling India from 1556-1605. His greatest strength was his military power. Heavy artillery, canons. Unified a land of 100 million people. Blended cultures and permitted religious freedom, flourished in arts and architecture, hindu literature.
Government: What was different or
interesting about the empire's methods of government?
Monarchy
- system of sultans
- Islamic based
- Sunni
LAWS
All land controlled by the Shah
• Appointment of aristocracy by merit, not birth
• Promoted only officials who proved their competence and loyalty(a lot like confucianism)
• Hired foreigners from neighboring countries to
fill positions in government
• Punished corruption severely
Akbar governed through the bureaucracy of officials. People of all classes could rise to high office. Todar Mal created a taxation policy which increased the number of peasants who paid it, bringing money to the empire. Gave generous land grants which were reclaimed after they died.
Religion: How was
religion used by the
empire to gain and/or maintain power?
- turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque, may have convinced others to convert to muslim
- most were Sunni so all things are based on their beliefs
* Most were Shia so they bickered with Ottoman Empire for their whole rule
Akbar was a Musli, but defended and permitted religious freedom. He proved this by marrying two Hindus, a Christian, and a Muslim. He allowed his wives to practice their religions. Abolished tax against Hindu pilgrims and tax on non-muslims.
Art, Architecture and Culture: Are there
specific
accomplishments or achievements with
which we should be familiar?
- complex designs
- mosques were decked out
- domes
* Art was very ceramics, textiles
* Blends European and Islamic cultures
* Influenced by Europeans and Islamic cultures, melting pot of all
ART
-new silk weaving that use new techniques
-brightly colored silks, with
gold and silver threads,
portrayed birds, animals,
and flowers
• carpet weaving flourished, wool carpets prized throughout
CULTURE
-Shahs claim to be descended from imams, or successors of
Ali
• Mullahs :local/mosque officials who were prayer leaders
• Shia’ism becomes an integral part of Iranian identity
• Pressuring conversions of other faiths
• Women has many disadvantges in thai culture
The Mughal empire flourished in art. Book illustrations- small, high detailed and colorful paintings called miniatures. Most famous for the Akbarnamah, Book of Akbar.
Hindu literature had a revival. The poet Tulsi Das is most famously known for Ramcartimanas.
Most importantly, he is known for his architecture. Known as Akbar period style architecture. Massive graceful structures with intricate stone work with Hindu themes.
The capital city of Fethpur Sikiri is a famous example. Red sandstone city.
The Decline: How/why did the empire lose its power?
- economic weakness
- didn't modernize
- russian expansion
-WEAKENED ECNONOMY- The effectual leaders who followed shah abbas combined lavish lifestyles and militaryn spending that resulted in a weakened economy.
-COULDNT DEFEND AND INTERNAL CONFLCITS DUE TO ATTACKS-in 1722 teh savafiads werent able to defend against rebellions by sunni pashtuns , although they remained in control while afgan forces sacked isfashan, the choas took a toll on taxation and centralization. All these weaknesses allowed for the Ottomans empire and russian to seize their terrority.
Akbar’s death in 1605, the Mughal court changed. Akbar’s son, Jahangir, did not control India well. Left most of the affairs to his wife.
A series of rulers left the empire under Aurangzeb. He erased all of the gains under Akbar, and drained the empire of its resources. Many people died under him. The Mughal empire fell