Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires

1. Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires

2. Ottoman: Rise to Power • Seljuk Turks began to decline, the Osman began to expand. • Gunpowder empire –success largely based on the mastery of the technology of firearms. • Janissary were an elite military guard recruited from Christians, converted to Islam, and trained as foot soldiers or administrators to the sultan.

4. Ottoman: Suleiman • Suleiman I, or Suleiman the Magnificent, came to rule in 1520. He expanded Ottoman rule into Europe and the western Med. Sea. • He ruled for 46 years. • He codified Ottoman law keeping Islamic faith, took into account Christian inhabitants of the Empire, addressed taxes, and built more schools.

5. Ottoman: Sultans • head of the empire- held absolute control • hereditary – eldest son always succeeded the father. (created turmoil) • private domain called a “harem,” or “sacred place.” Here the sultan and his wives lived. • When a son became sultan, his mother became queen mother and acted as an adviser to the throne.

6. Ottoman • chief advisor to the sultan: grand vizier • Led meetings • Spoke for the Sultan • Empire divided into districts and ruled by officials and highly trained bureaucrats • Senior officials responsible for collecting taxes and supplying armies for the empire

7. Ottoman: Society • The subjects were divided by occupation. • ruling class, & 4 main occupational groups: peasants, artisans, merchants, and pastoral peoples. • Sunni Muslims. • Tolerant of non-Muslims • Conversions • Or taxes

8. Ottoman: Decline • The training of officials declined • local government grew more corrupt and taxes rose • Wars depleted the imperial treasury. • influence of Western Europe

10. Safavid • Modern day Persia, concentrated on building a powerful army • Ismail called himself “shah,” or king, of the new Persian state by age 14 • Religious tyrant: Shia • Decimated the Sunni population

11. Safavid: at its Peak • Shah Abbas: Highest point of glory • Reformed military and civilian life • Equipped armies with modern artillery • Punished corruption • Hired only the most competent people • Sought more religious toleration

12. Safavid: Cultural Connections • New capital at Isfahan • Showcase wealth • Blue domes • Beautiful arts • Chinese artisans • Metalwork, calligraphy, glasswork, and pottery • Carpets • Western demand • Local craft to national industry • Themes reflected the culture of the empire

14. Safavid: Decline • Shah Abbas followed Ottoman mistakes • Incompetent leadership aided in decline • By 1747 the empire fell into regional turmoil

15. Mughal: Geography • The Mogul Empire spread from the Hindu Kush mountains east to the Bay of Bengal; from modern-day Afghanistan south to near the southern tip of India.

16. Mughal: Origins • 8th-16th centuries: religious and political turmoil • Babur defeated the sultan of Delhi • Akbar the Great • Military conqueror • Artillery • Utilized rajput forces • Liberal ruler • Cultural blending • Governed using the talented • Graduated tax

17. Mughal: Culture • Blending • Welcomed diverse influence • Persian, Hindi, and Urdu (blend) • Arts and Literature • Book illustrations • Epic love stories • Architecture • Style named for Akbar • Massive, graceful structures

19. Mughal: Shah Jahan • Shah Jahan • He expanded the boundaries of the Mogul Empire • Taj Mahal – a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumatz Mahal. This is the finest piece of Mogul architecture. It combines Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic styles. • .

20. Mughal: Aurangzeb • He was a devout Muslim and a man of high principle. • He tried to eliminate social evils in India: suttee (a Hindu practice of cremating a widow on her husband’s funeral pyre), levying illegal taxes, gambling, and drinking. • Made Hindu to convert to Islam –led to social unrest that made India open to attack from abroad.

21. Mughal • The British helped the decline of the Mogul Empire in India. • British East India Co. Controlled trade and taxed lands surrounding the city of Calcutta. • The Indians practiced guerilla warfare against the British. • The British moved inland. Trade brought money to the British. The British were in India to stay.