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