Ottoman – Founding Osman – most successful ghazi (religious warrior) Allied ghazis to attack...
Transcript of Ottoman – Founding Osman – most successful ghazi (religious warrior) Allied ghazis to attack...
Ottoman – Founding
• Osman – most successful ghazi (religious warrior)
• Allied ghazis to attack Byzantine Empire• Power vacuum left behind by Mongols and the
Seljuk Kingdom
Ottoman - Religion
• Muslim – Early roots in Sufi Islam– Eventually, Sunni Muslim state
• Freedom of worship to other faiths• Jewish and Christian communities (millets)
allowed to have own laws and practices by paying small tax
Ottoman - Leaders
Orhan (or Orkhan) • Conquered major cities, including BursaMehmed II• Conquered Constantinople in 1453Selim (the Grim)• Conquered into Muslim landsSuleyman the Magnificent • Expanded empire to largest size• Created tax & legal code (“the lawgiver”)• Like Renaissance in Europe
Ottoman – Military Success
• Gunpowder – Musket carrying foot soldiers replace archers
• Cannons• Devshirme System - young Christian boys from
conquered areas drafted for military service • Janissaries - Elite soldiers loyal to sultan
Ottoman – Empire Decline
• Suleyman killed oldest (most able) son not born to his wife– Incompetent son followed
• Resulted in weak sultans that led to slow decline over 350 years
Safavid - Founding
• “Safavid” – Islamic brotherhood founded by Safi al-Din
• Actual empire begins with 12 yo Isma’il – Began take over of Persia– Title of Shah (king)
Safavid - Religion
• Muslim– Shi’ite as state religion
• Isma’il – religious tyrant– Required conversion and put any non-convert to
death (including Sunni Muslims)
Safavid - Leaders
Shah Abbas• Drew from best of Ottoman, Persian and Arab• Reformed military – limited power and created
armies loyal to him• Reformed gov’t– Punished corruption; promoted loyal and talented
• Supported other religions to encourage European trade and artisans to move
Safavid – Military Success
• Developed artillery• Modeled one army after Ottoman janissaries
(soldiers from Christian north)
Safavid - Decline
• Similar to Ottoman situation• Shah Abbas eliminated ablest sons– Incompetent grandson took over
• String of incompetent or ruthless rulers until collapse in 1747
Mughal - Founding
• Combination of Mongols, Turks, Afghans• Name means “Mongols” • Founded by Babur at age 11– What is now Tajikistan/Uzbekistan
Mughal - Religion
• Muslim • Religious freedom– Akbar married Hindu, allowed her to maintain her
faith– Abolished taxes on other religions
• Hindus and Muslims both rise to high levels of gov’t
Mughal - Leaders
Akbar • Oversaw golden age from 1556-1605• Graduated income tax similar to that of US• Encouraged arts and literatureShah Jahan• Built Taj Mahal – memorial for wife
Mughal – Military Success
• Hindu rajput as officers• Heavy artillery, cannons
Mughal - Decline
• Empire drained of resources by poor leadership and war
• Famine• Increased power at local level; Mughal emperor
became figurehead • Imperialist Europeans further weakened