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CHAPTER 21: MUSLIM EMPIRES. Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal dynasties. “Gunpowder empires” - similarities. Islamic Centralized government Sultan - Ottoman Shah - Safavid Emperor - Mughal Bureaucracies managed the empires (Ottoman bureaucracy was the most extensive).
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CHAPTER 21: MUSLIM EMPIRES Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal dynasties
“Gunpowder empires” - similarities • Islamic • Centralized government • Sultan - Ottoman • Shah - Safavid • Emperor - Mughal • Bureaucracies managed the empires (Ottoman bureaucracy was the most extensive)
They existed at around the same time –Suleiman (Ottoman), Abbas I (Safavid), Akbar (Mughal) were the rulers at the height of each empire and were contemporaries. • Warrior aristocrats were awarded land and peasants for support of leader
Weapons: cannons and muskets were the key for these empires’ successes
Each had slavery as an institution • non-Muslims were slaves • the status of slaves varied widely Concubines of India
Leaders patronized the arts Example: Architecture • huge focus of these leaders’ energies • incorporated Islamic elements Istanbul: Sulimaniye mosque
Safavid: Shah Mosque (note the blue tiles)
Religious tolerance • Government positions were available to outsiders and non-Muslims • Ottoman empire • Janissaries • Devshirme • Russian army slave boys in the Safavid dynasty
Dhimmi • Millets • Overall, the Ottoman empire was more religiously tolerant than other early modern societies
Religious intolerance • Religious minorities were persecuted at times • e.g. Sikhs in Mughal empire • Non-Muslims paid higher taxes • Missionary efforts and reforms aimed at religious nonconformists
Differences and conflicts • The split between Sunni and Shi’a traditions of Islam intensified • Safavid used Shiism to legitimize their rule • Day of Ashura: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/shiite-muslims-mark-day-of-ashura/2011/12/05/gIQAa8PTWO_gallery.html#photo=1 • Ottoman Sunnis frequently conflicted with Shi’a Safavids
Similar factors leading to decline • Stretched too thin • Succession issues • Corrupt and/or inept leaders • Taxation and poor treatment of peasants revolts and rebellions
C LAND BASED EMPIRES VS. SEA BASED EMPIRES
Land Based Sea Based • Self-defense extremely important • Examples? • Ottoman, Russian, Mughal, Ming • Relatively Large • Expensive • Focused on agricultureand notindustry • Many were located in arid & uninhabitable areas • Involved in forced labor • Power was centralized • Largest administrative and economic systems from 1500 and 1800, because they were more of a threat to each other • Few strategic concerns • Examples? • Spain, Portugal, England • Relatively Small • Self-sufficient • Settled in in profitable areas • Involved in forced labor • Power “divided” amongst lands • Benefited from private investors or joint-stock companies