Empires & Encounters, 1450-1750, II: THE ISLAMIC EMPIRES

1. Empires & Encounters, 1450-1750, II: THE ISLAMIC EMPIRES

2. The Ottoman Empire – the largest of the three. Stretched from North Africa to southern Russia, and from Hungary to southern end of the Red Sea. The Safavid Empire – most of present-day Iran and Afghanistan The Mughal Empire – from eastern end of Afghanistan to India and Pakistan

3. The Islamic Empires

4. Some General Notes • Military – all three states raised powerful armies • “Gunpowder empires” – extensive mastery and development of gunpowder and firearms technology • Islamic states – although Safavids were Shiites while others were Sunnis • Rise of Europe – the rise of the Islamic states coincided with the rise of European expansion in the 15th century

5. THE MUGHAL EMPIRE

6. Muslim empire that ruled in predominantly Hindu India A foreign dynasty The Mughals created the greatest empire in the Indian sub-continent since the time of the Mauryian dynasty

7. Dynasty founded by Central Asian Muslim warriors in 1526. The most important divide within the Mughal empire was religion – 20% of the population were Muslims, and 80% Hindu. Think of the political dynamics in this situation …

8. Emperor Akbar (1542-1605) • The greatest ruler of the Mughal • Great military commander and fine administrator • Initiated several social reforms

9. Akbar’s Reforms • Emperor Akbar attempted serious accommodation of the Hindu majority • a. brought many Hindus into the political-military elite • b. imposed a policy of toleration • c. abolished payment of jizya by non-Muslims • d. created a state cult that stressed loyalty to the emperor • e. encouraged a hybrid Indian-Persian-Turkic culture

10. Conservative Muslims’ reactions to Akbar’s policy of toleration • a. Emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707) reversed Mughal policy, tried to impose Islamic supremacy • b. Aurangzeb banned sati (widow burning), music, and dance at court, various vices • c. destruction of some Hindu temples • d. reimposition of jizya

11. How did the Hindus react to Aurangzeb’s policies?

12. Further reflections on religion and empire • As we have seen, religion is a major sub-theme in conquests and empire-buildings in world history. • When was religious toleration most likely? • What conditions make it most likely that conquerors would try to convert their subjects? • What non-religious factors might affect how tolerant a state was toward religious diversity?

13. Jahangir (1605-1628) and Shah Jahan (1628-1658) • Continued improvements in administration • Great patrons of art • Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal • Luxurious and sometimes wasteful lifestyles

14. Taj Mahal

15. Decline of the Mughal • 1. Internal economic crises • 2. Succession struggles • 3. Religious Crises • 4. European incursion • 5. British colonial rule

16. The Ottoman Empire • Longest-lived and most-important of the Islamic empires – lasted for about 600 years • Founded by Turkish nomads in NW Anatolia • Founding leader – Osman (1280-1326) • Established the Osmanli Dynasty • Same dynasty ruled without any interruption for the entire 600 years.

17. The Islamic Empires

18. Ottoman Empire

19. Some factors for expansion • Dynamic Leadership • Strategic location • Military organization

20. Conquests and Expansion • Mid-14th c – crossed into Europe • 1380s – conquered Serbia • 1400s – annexed Bulgaria • 1453 – conquered Constantinople • 1514-1520 – conquest of Middle East and North Africa • 1520s – conquered Hungary, much of Eastern Europe

21. Sultan Mehmet II, “The Conqueror”

22. Suleyman the Magnificent

23. Organization of the Empire • 1. The Military • Highly organized and efficient • The Janissary • 2. Class • “askeri” (military class) • “raya” (“flock of sheep”)

24. 3. The State The Sultan – absolute ruler The Imperial Council – headed by the “vizier” (Chief Minister) Well-trained civil service based on merit 4. Religion Islam was the ruling religion (Sunni Muslims) Sharia – applied to all Muslims Non-Muslims tolerated

25. Further Reflections: Ottoman Empire & Europe • The Ottoman Empire represented a military threat to Europe. (How did that affect European thoughts toward Muslims?) • It impressed some European intellectuals because of its religious tolerance. • The empire was an important trading partner with European nations.