OTTOMAN EMPIRE, SAFAVID EMPIRE, & ISLAM REACHES INDIA

Rise of the Ottoman Empire• The Ottomans were a nomadic group of Turkish people

originating from Central Asia• Around the 13th century they emerged as the rulers of the

Islamic world• In 1453, they captured Constantinople, the capital of the

Byzantine Empire. They renamed it Istanbul.• Because of the Ottoman Empires central location, they

interacted with both Eastern & Western Culture throughout history.

• They also conquered Egypt & North Africa, re-uniting all of the Muslim world under their rule, except for Persia and Afghanistan

Ottoman Government• The Ottoman Empire was led by the Sultan (ruler) and his

lavish court.• Every Sultan was expected to begin their reign by

expanding the Empire• The Sultan in Istanbul governed the entire empire as an

all-powerful ruler. • The Sultan was assisted by a special army – The

Janissaries, who were recruited in childhood• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opac9IGV8fM

Ottoman Diversity• The Ottoman’s recognized the Diversity of their empire

and were tolerable of Christians and Jews • They even allowed Christians and Jews to be represented by their

own leaders and to collect their own taxes• This contributed to Ottoman prosperity and stability,

allowing them to peacefully trade throughout the Mediterranean.

Suleiman the Magnificent• The Ottoman Empire reached its

height in the mid-1500s, under Suleiman the Magnificent

• The Ottoman controlled most Mediterranean trade until their defeat in 1571 by Spaniards & Venetians

Persia: Safavid Empire• In the early 1500’s the Safavids created

a great Islamic empire in Persia• Like the Ottomans, the Safavids were a

Turkish tribe• However, Safavids were Shiite Muslims

who opposed the Ottomans, because they were Sunnis

• This association with Shiite Islam gave the Safavids an Identity separate from their Muslim neighbors that still affects Iran today.

• Safavid rulers, known as Shahs, used their large standing armies to maintain control

India: Review of Hinduism• Hinduism is the predominant religion in India• It believes in many gods, reincarnation, and a rigid caste

system• Hindus were expected to behave well according to their

role in society• Depending on how well they lived their life, they would die

and be reborn in a higher or lower caste.• Good life = reborn in higher caste• Bad life = reborn in lower caste

Muslim Invasion of India• In the 11th and 12th centuries, Turkish Muslims invaded

India’s northern plains, destroying Hindu temples and cities.

• Muslims established independent cities in Northern India known as sultanates• The most important Sultanate was established in 1200 in Delhi

• After 1200, Sultans of Delhi ruled much of Northern and Central India for the next 320 years

• At the end of the 14th century, the Mongol ruler Tamerlane destroyed the city of Delhi and slaughtered its inhabitants

The Mughal Empire• In 1526 Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane and Genghis

Khan, defeated the Sultan of Delhi and founded the Mughal Empire

• The Mughals were Muslims with close ties to Safavid Persia

• Because the later Ottoman and Mughal Empires used guns to control their populations and fight enemies, they are referred to as “Gunpowder Empires.”

Akbar the Great (1542-1605)• Babur’s grandson, Akbar was the most famous Mughal

ruler• Akbar conquered neighboring lands to unite Northern

India under his rule.• Akbar promoted religious toleration in India and made use

of Hindu officials in governement• Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan was not as sympathetic to

Hindus• He imposed many special taxes and ordered the

destruction of many Hindu temples• Jahan did have the Taj Mahal built

Sikhism • Sikhism developed in Northern India as a result of the

interaction between Muslim & Hindu beliefs• Like Hindus. Sikhs believe in reincarnation• Like Muslims,Sikhs believe in one God, and that God can

be known through deep contemplation• Sikhs do not follow the caste system, because they

believe everyone has equal status in the eyes of God