Chapter 21: The Muslim Empires

1. Chapter 21: The Muslim Empires MR. Toma AP World History Midwest CityHigh School

3. The Ottomans: From Frontier Warriors to Empire Builders • 1243 CE- Seljuk Turks fell to the Mongols. • 1350’s- Ottomans began building an empire based in Anatolia (Turkey). • Ottomans rapidly expanded their territories but bypassed Constantinople until 1453. • 1453- Ottomans conquered Constantinople with 100,000 soldiers under Mehmed II. • Extended empire into Syria, Egypt, north Africa, Hungary, Black and Red Seas. • Protector of Islam, scourge to Christian Europe • Powerful navy and army.

5. A State Geared to Warfare • Janissaries - conscripted adolescent Christian boys from the Balkinsthat made up the bulk of infantry • Legal slaves • Schooling and conversion to Islam • Janissaries controlled the artillery and firearms so they were the most powerful component of the military. • Eventually tried to translate military service into political influence.

6. The Sultans and Their Court • Ottoman rulers were absolute monarchs (sultans). • Ottoman conquest often meant effective administration and tax relief for areas annexed to the empire. • As the empire grew, sultans grew more and more distant from their subjects. • Administration was carried out by a grand vizier. • Islamic principles of political succession are problematic.

7. Constantinople Restored and the Flowering of Ottoman Culture • Ottomans restored Constantinople. • Saint Sophia cathedral was converted into a mosque. • Each Sultan tried to beautify the capital. • Sultans and administrators built mansion, religious schools, hospitals, rest houses, gardens. • Great bazaars in Constantinople • Merchant and artisan classes • Persian, Arabic, Turkish

8. Ottoman Decline • Empire lasted for over 600 years (1299-1923). • Ottomans were able to fight off any rivals. • Empire was too large to maintain. • The effectiveness of the administration and bureaucracy diminished. • Local officials squeezed peasants and laborers for taxes and services. • Peasant uprisings and abandonment of lands

9. Military Reverses and the Ottoman Retreat • Ottoman internal military problems and resistance to change, led them to fall behind in improvements to military. • 1571- Battle of Lepanto • Signals end of Ottoman naval dominance • Defeated by the Spaniards and Venitians • Try to rebuild fleet a year after battle • Portuguese naval victories in Indian Ocean • Silver from Peru and Mexico led to inflation • Ottomans fell behind in technology

10. The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • The Safavids rose from Turkic nomadic groups after Mongol invasions. • Safavids were Shi’a Muslims. • Sail al-Din began a militant campaign to purify and reform Islam in the early 1300’s. • Spread Islam throughout Turkish tribes of region • Isma’il won victories and was declared shah (emperor) in Tabriz in 1501. . • Conflict with Ottoman Empire. • Battle of Chaldiran , 1514 • Ottoman victory

11. Battle of Chaldiran 1514 • Battle between Ottomans and Safavids • Battle between the two variants of Islam: Shi’a and Sunni. • Battle between Sultan Selim of the Ottomans, and Shah Isma’l of the Safavids. • Ottoman gunpowder and cannon proved too much for the Safavids to overcome. • Devastating defeat for the Safavids. • The battle kept Shi’ism concentrated mainly in Persia to this day.

13. Politics and War Under the Safavid Shahs • 1534 CE- Tahmasp I won the throne. • Turkic chiefs used as Warrior nobles • 1587 CE- Abbas I (aka Abbas the Great), empire reached height of its strength and prosperity • Used youths captured in Russia, educated and converted to Islam, in the army • Used Europeans for assistance against Ottomans • Abbas has built up army of 40,000 troops by end of regime

14. State and Religion • Safavid used Turkish as their language • Elaborate palaces for shahs • Mullahs were used as mosque officials and pray leaders. • Bulk of Iranian population was converted to Shi’ism • Abbas I wanted his empire to be a center for international trade and Islamic culture • Set up capital in Isfahan • Special building projects

15. Society and Gender Roles: Ottoman and Safavid Comparisons • Both societies were dominated by warrior aristocracies. • Both groups of shahs promoted public works projects and promoted trade. • Women faced legal and social disadvantages. • Wives and concubines exerted influences over shahs. • Most women lived unenviable lives.

16. The Rapid Demise of the Safavid Empire • Safavids reigned from 1501-1736. • The collapse of the Safavid empire was rapid. • Imperial administration and weak rulers were responsible for the decline. • 1722- Afghani tribes took over Isfahan. • Nadir Khan Afshar proclaimed himself shah in 1736; short-lived.

17. The Mughals and the Apex of Muslim Civilization in India • The Mughal empire was founded by Babur, who traced his lineage back to Mongol khan and Turkic conqueror Timur. • Babur’s conquests had only to do with gaining riches and not with religion. • Babur was a good military strategist who had a taste for art and music. • Babur left the Mughal empire to his son Humayan.

18. Akbar and the Basis for a Lasting Empire • Akbar took over after the death of his father Humayan. • Akbar had a vision for the empire and wanted to united all of India. • He extended the empire throughout north and central India. • Worked with Hindus throughout India. • Invented a new faith: Din-i-Ilahi • Used warrior aristocrats to run villages.

19. Social Reform and Cultural Change • Akbar pushed for social changes. • He encouraged widow remarriage, discouraged child marriages, legally prohibited sati. • Mughal India reached its peak at the end of Akbar’s reign. • However, India had fallen behind Europe in invention and sciences. • India was a major overseas destination for traders.

20. Mughal Splendor • Jahangir (1605-1627) and Shah Jahan (1627-1658) reigned after the death of Akbar. • Both retained tolerance toward Hindus, kept alliances, and fought wars against enemies. • Both great patrons of the arts. • Mughal architecture blends Persian and Hindu traditions.

21. New Mughal Power • Jahangir and Shah Jahanleft the administration to subordinates. • Both had wives who took control of decisions. • Women became more secluded. • Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan’s son, seized power. • Determined to extend Mughal control. • Wanted to purify Indian Islamand rid it of Hinduism

22. Imperial Decline • By the time of his death, Aurangzeb conquered most of the subcontinent. • Drained treasury. • Long wars occupied his time and he failed to complete administrative tasks and reforms. • His religious policies weakened internal alliances. • He left the empire weak and unstable. • Due to Mughal persecution,Sikhsbecame an anti-Muslim threat.