Muslim Empires

Safavids (Persia and Afghanistan), Mughal (India) and Ottomans.

Similarities Built empires based on military conquest, effective

use of firearms and political power in the regions. Absolute Monarchs (tax from agrarian population) Cultural renaissance within Islam which they helped

spread

Muslim Empires

Differences Mughals ruled non-Muslims Safavids ruled (Shiite) Muslims Ottomans ruled Muslims (Sunnis) and

Christians

Safavid Empire (Mystics)

Profited from the struggles of rival Turkic groups following Mongol invasions.

Lost battle to Ottomans that blocked their expansion westward.

Safavid Empire

Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) Brought Turkic warriors under control,

assigned villages and peasant labor for support. They then gained status and threated the Shah’s power.

Persians recruited to counterbalance Slaves/youths recruited into the army.

Eventually held high civil posts. Firearms and training from Europeans.

Safavid Empire

Attempted to make empire center of international trade and Islamic culture.

Iranian merchants encouraged to trade with Muslims, Indians, Chinese and Europeans.

Removed all heirs and weak succession takes place. Internal strife and foreign invasions (Afghanis)

Safavid Empire

Religion Persian became language of state Religion was part of politics and schools Empire converted into Shiite

Mughal Empire

Turkic invaders come seeking booty and remained because they could not move north.

Babur takes over and holds the Indus and Ganges plains. Death leads to invasions that his successor fights off.

Mughal Empire

Akbar Military administrative talent Advances reconciliation with Hindus

(intermarriage, held office, new mixed faith etc.)

Social Reform (regulate alcohol, improve women’s status, remarriage, prohibit sati etc)

Most reforms not successful but led to a powerful empire.

Mughal Empire

Decline Most of the population lived in poverty and

India falls behind Europe with the exception of cotton textiles.

War weakens bureaucracy and military Hindus kept in high posts, head tax restored,

internal disruption

Ottoman Empire

Captured Constantinople and ended the Byzantine Empire.

Military leaders were important and geared the state toward war and expansion.

Turkic horsemen became a warrior aristocracy that controlled land and peasants.

Janissary infantry dominated the army. Firearms gave them great power.

Ottoman Empire

Ottoman rulers played off the competing factions within their state.

Muslim, Christian and Jewish merchants were important. Christians and Jews satisfied with Islamic rule.

As the empire grew, the sultans lost contact with their subjects.

Large bureaucracy headed by a vizier had great power in the state.

Ottoman Empire

Constantinople became a large commercial center.

Urban inhabitants belonged to merchant and artisan classes.

Government regulated activity. Turkish language dominates. Rich legacy

in poetry, ceramics, carpet manufacturing and architecture.

Ottoman Decline

Began to decline in the late 17th C. Vague guide to succession. Too big for its resource base and transport

system. Bureaucracy became corrupt using revenues for

its own purposes. Oppressed peasants and laborers fled. Civil strife increased and military efficiency

deteriorated.