The Ottoman and Safavid Empires While the Mughals

The Ottoman and Safavid Empires

While the Mughals ruled India, two other dynasties, the Ottomans and the Safavids, dominated the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.

The Age of Gunpowder Empires Success of these new empires happened because of new weapons. n Cannons and muskets replaced mounted warriors n Because of these weapons used in 1450 -1650 this is sometimes called the “age of gunpowder empires. ” n

The Ottomans n Ottomans- Turkish-speaking nomadic group. n Migrated from Central Asia into Asia Minor. n The Ottoman expansion threatened the crumbling Byzantine empire.

Constantinople falls to the Ottomans n n n After many failed attempts, Mehmet II finally succeeds to take Constantinople in 1453. 2 month siege Constantinople will become the new capital, but was renamed Istanbul.

Suleiman the Magnificent n n The Ottoman empire enjoys a Golden Age under Suleiman- ruler from 15201566. Brilliant general, expanded the empire east and west. Felt he was the leader of all Muslims “Protector of the Sacred Places” (Mecca and Medina)

Ottoman Culture n n n Suleiman strengthened the government. Improved its system of justice Suleiman had absolute power but ruled with the advice of a council. Ottoman law was based on the Sharia Government officials worked with religious scholars Sharia deals with many aspects of day-to-day life, including politics, economics, banking, business law, contract law, and social issues.

Society organized into classes 1. 2. 3. Soldiers who defended the state and scientists, lawyers and poets. (“men of the sword and pen”) Merchants and tax collectors and artisans (“men of negotiation”) Farmers and herders (“men of husbandry”) Almost entirely Muslim Included Non-Muslims

Organization People organized into millets, or religious communities. n Each millet had its own leaders who were responsible for education and some legal matters. n

Army and Government Jobs Ottomans recruited officers for army and government from among the huge populations of conquered people. n Levied a “tax” on Christian families in the Balkans, requiring them to turn over their young sons for government service. n Boys were converted to Muslim and put into training. n

After the training n n Best soldiers won a prized place in the janizaries- elite force of the Ottoman army. The best of these received special education to become government officials.

What about the girls? n Non-Muslim girls served as slaves in wealthy Muslim households. n Some were accepted into the household n Some were freed after the death of their masters.

Decline of the Ottomans n n n Began after the death of Suleiman had killed two of his sons because he suspected them of treason. Another son, Selim II, took over but left the government work to ministers. It soon became corrupt.

The Safavid Empire 1500 the Safavid- a dynasty that united an empire in Persia (present day Iran). n Sandwiched between the Ottoman empire and the Mughal empire they often engaged in warfare. n Safavids were Shiite Muslims and the Ottomans were Sunni Muslims. Many tensions n

Abbas the Great n n Safavid king was called the Shah Abbas- revived the glory of Persia. Centralized the government and made a powerful military. Looked for alliances with European powers who feared the Ottomans.

Abbas and the economy n n Reduced taxes Encouraged the growth of industry Tolerated non-Muslims and valued their economic contributions. Built new capital at Isfahan- which became a center of the international silk trade.

The Safavid empire declines Empire declines after the death of Shah Abbas n Shiite Muslims challenge the authority of the Shah. They want persecution of religious minorities, pushing Sunni Afghans to rebel n The rebels will win and capture Isfahan. n 1700’s- Qajars- won control of Iran. Made Tehran its capital. They ruled until 1925. n