The Ottoman Empire

Ottoman Turks

Named after leader, Osman in late 1200s 1453- Constantinople became their

capital: renamed Istanbul End of Byzantine Empire

1500s- Sultan Selim I took control of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Arabia Control of holy cities: Jerusalem, Mecca,

Medina Declared himself the new caliph, successor to

Muhammad, defender of faith

Suleiman I, “The Lawgiver” Ruled from 1520-1566 Was both sultan (political

and military ruler) & caliph (Sunni Islamic ruler)

Power passed through hereditary lines

Grand vizier: sultan’s political advisor

Ulema: sultan’s group of religious advisors

Janissaries: members of the army, often captured from Christian families as children.

Ottoman Law

Social classes: Rulers: sultan +officials Nobles: owned lots of landagriculture Peasants: worked those farms (BIGGEST

GROUP!)

Ottomans and Religion

Some religious tolerance

Other religions could have a leader who presented the desires of the group (millets)

More lenient towards women Could own property Couldn’t be forced into marriage Could seek divorce

Ottoman Empire, continued

Strong Navy to protect trade Europeans concerned about Ottoman

threat to trade and Christianity 1572- Battle of Lepanto- Spanish fleet

defeated the Ottoman fleet Ruled until early 1900s, but began losing

territory after loss of the Battle of Carlowitz in 1699 Corruption, introduction of alcohol, coffee

and tobacco went against Islamic laws

Ottoman Art

• Pottery, rugs, silk, textiles, jewelry, arms and armor, architecture

mosques modeled after Hagia Sophia minarets- towers that call Muslims to prayer

The Safavid Empire

Islamic Split

Safavid Persians broke away from the Islamic Empire because of religious differences. Ottoman sultan claimed religious rule Safavid’s followed Shi’ite Islam: religious

rule passes down through the line of Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali

Safavids required all subjects to accept Shi’ite form of Islam

Shah Abbas

Ruled from 1587-1629 Built Isfahan as the

Safavid capital Many building projects Imam Mosque, parks,

palace Tried to gain any allies

possible against Ottomans Even teamed up with

Britain, an Christian state

Safavid Culture

Persian culture spread Language, diplomacy, trade Delicate architecture

Imam Mosque

Decline

After Shah Abbas, there was a series of weak rulers.

1736- Nader Shah expanded Persian empire to greatest height, but he was assassinated in 1747

Late 1700s- Qajar Turks took the throne and ruled until 1925

The Mogul Empire

Early Mogul Empire

Late 1300s-Timur Lenk (Tamerlane) ruled central Asia/India Ruthless leader 1398- destroyed Delhi, killing thousands After his death, his Muslim Empire started

to crumble 1526- Babur (descendent of Timur Lenk)

conquered Delhi at Battle of Panipat Set up Mogul Dynasty

Akbar the Great Babur’s grandson was Akbar

Benevolent ruler who inherited the throne at age 14

Brought peace and order to northern India

Empire seemed centralized, but actually many semi-independent states held together by Emperor Akbar

Encouraged religious tolerance to ensure peace between Muslims (monotheistic) and Hindus (many gods)

Din-i-ilahi (The Divine Faith) Akbar’s created religion that

combined aspects of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and others.

Mogul Culture

Music, painting, literature flourished in Mughal India

Courts were centers of art and learning, built libraries Akbar was illiterate!

Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal at Agra Trade with China brought gunpowder, paper,

and Chinese porcelain to Mogul India

Taj Mahal

Mogul Decline

Late 1600s- religious toleration was abandoned

Right to the throne caused fighting between the ruling family

Persecution of Hindus and Sikhs (another middle eastern religion) led these religious groups to rebel, thus weakening the empire.