The Muslim Empires Introduction Three major Muslim dynasties

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The Muslim Empires

The Muslim Empires

Introduction Three major Muslim dynasties • Ottoman • Safavid • Mughal

Introduction Three major Muslim dynasties • Ottoman • Safavid • Mughal

The Ottomans • • 13 th-14 th centuries Eastern Mediterranean Based in Anatolia 1453

The Ottomans • • 13 th-14 th centuries Eastern Mediterranean Based in Anatolia 1453 Mehmed II takes Constantinople – Empire spread through the Balkans into Hungary • Naval power was their military might • Seize Austrian Habsburg dynasty • Major force in European politics until 19 th century

The Ottomans I. • • • A State Geared to Warfare Economy based on

The Ottomans I. • • • A State Geared to Warfare Economy based on military and expansion Warriors become nobility Janissary infantry – Most Janissaries forced into service - slaves – Most Christians – Become politically influential

The Ottomans II. The Sultans & Their Court • Sultans = absolute monarchs –

The Ottomans II. The Sultans & Their Court • Sultans = absolute monarchs – Used factions (warrior elites) against each other to maintain power • Commerce in the hands of dhimmi (people of the book) • Bureaucratic administration carried out by Grand Vizier – More power than sultan • No clear rules of succession = hostility among rival heirs

The Ottomans III. Constantinople Restored & Ottoman Culture • Culture varied across empire –

The Ottomans III. Constantinople Restored & Ottoman Culture • Culture varied across empire – Influenced by Africa, Europe, & Asia • Constantinople (now Istanbul) becomes Ottoman capital and restored to its ancient glory – Aqueducts built, markets reopened, & defenses repaired • Hagia Sophia converted into a mosque • Suleymaniye mosque built by Suleyman the Magnificent, 16 th Century

The Ottomans • Constantinople is the commercial center • Government regulates trade & crafts

The Ottomans • Constantinople is the commercial center • Government regulates trade & crafts – Artisan guilds • Early Ottomans used Persian & Arabic for language in law and religion, but Turkish becomes prevalent in 17 th century

The Ottomans IV. The Problem of Ottoman Decline • Empire too big • Insufficient

The Ottomans IV. The Problem of Ottoman Decline • Empire too big • Insufficient infrastructure • As conquest declines, lands lost to Christian & rival Muslim kingdoms • Succession issues continue

The Ottomans V. Military Reverses and the Ottoman retreat • Ottomans fall behind European

The Ottomans V. Military Reverses and the Ottoman retreat • Ottomans fall behind European rivals in scientific, technological, & commercial transformations • Janissaries block military change and technology • Navy defeated in Battle of Lepanto by Spanish & Venetian fleets – Lose control of eastern Mediterranean • Portuguese beat Muslim navies in Indian Ocean • Inflation occurs due to New World bullion & loss of trade

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • The Safavid dynasty was established in the

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • The Safavid dynasty was established in the 14 th century. • Sunni Ottomans and Shi’a Safavids rivals A. Safavid Family • Sufi preachers – Sail al-Din (leader) led a campaign to purify and reform Islam – Red Heads (followers) grew large in numbers • Isma^’l becomes shah (king) in 1501

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • 1514 Ottomans defeat Safavids in Chaldiran •

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • 1514 Ottomans defeat Safavids in Chaldiran • This put an end to Isma^’il’s westward expansion • Shi’as become mostly concentrated in Persia

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids I. Politics and War Under the Safavid Shahs

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids I. Politics and War Under the Safavid Shahs • Tahmasp I becomes shah – Attempts to restore the dynasty’s power – Foils Turkic chiefs to assume power • Abbas I – “Abbas the Great” – Dynasty reached the height of its strength and prosperity – Persians become bureaucrats – Used captured Russians as “slave” regiments

Abbas the Great

Abbas the Great

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids II. State & Religion • Adopt Persian language

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids II. State & Religion • Adopt Persian language and customs after Chaldiran • Shahs claim to descend from one of the Shi’a imams (successor of Ali) • Mullahs – Local mosque officials and prayer leaders – Teachings/prayer were planned and directed by state religious officials

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • Sunni Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and followers

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • Sunni Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and followers of Sufi preachers pressured to convert

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids III. Elite Affluence & Artistic Splendor • Abbas

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids III. Elite Affluence & Artistic Splendor • Abbas I established the empire as a major center of international trade and Islamic culture • Isfanhan – capital of Safavid empire – glorious mosques & royal tombs built there

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids IV. Society and Gender Roles: Ottoman and Safavid

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids IV. Society and Gender Roles: Ottoman and Safavid Comparisons • Both had much in common – Dominated by warrior aristocrats • Shared power with absolutist monarchs • Move to rural estates after conquests – Focus on trade & production – Women lose freedom and become subordinate • Veiling and seclusion • Some women had influence on rulers • Had some rights via Quran

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids V. The Demise of the Safavid Empire •

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids V. The Demise of the Safavid Empire • Rapid decline after Abbas I died – Grandson becomes shah • Manipulated by state officials • Factional disputes and rebellions cause internal weakness • Invasions by nomadic raiders, Ottoman & Mughal armies

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • Afghani tribes besiege Isfahan in 1722 and

The Shi’a Challenge of the Safavids • Afghani tribes besiege Isfahan in 1722 and the Safavid power ends • Nadir Khan Afshar restores Safavid dynasty in 1736 – Short lived dynasty – Less territory

The Mughals • Mughal – Formed in 16 th century – Ruled by Babar

The Mughals • Mughal – Formed in 16 th century – Ruled by Babar – Strong military – Conquests not launched due to religion