The Rise and Fall of the Muslim Empires

The Rise and Fall of the Muslim Empires SSWH 4: e; 12: a-b.

Time and Geography See Notes for Videos

POLITICAL

Rise of the Ottomans • Due to two developments – Turkification of the caliphate • Abbasid rulers forced to rely on skills of nomadic Turks to quell revolts • Seljuk Turks resumed offensive against Byzantines, got access to Asia Minor at Battle of Manzikert – Growing importance of dervish, or Sufi, orders in Islam – religious associations formed around a central figure Seljuk Turks

Growth of Ottoman Empire • Turkish chieftain, Osman, given fiefdom to wage jihad against Byzantines – Empire began as ghazi state – frontier warriors – Initially organized around two dervish orders Osman Gazi

Growth of Ottoman Empire • Son, Orhan, reorganized state along feudal lines – Various nationalities, religious groups absorbed – Each group organized as a vilayet – separate minority Orhan Ghazi

Growth of Ottoman Empire • Constantinople was final vestige of Byzantine Empire – surrendered in 1453, took the name Istanbul Constantinople was renamed Istanbul

Map 24. 1

Ottoman Government • Empire reached its peak under Suleiman the Magnificent • Government, Sublime Porte, divided into secular and religious bureaucracy • Secular Bureaucracy: – Sultan, officials (grand vizier, prime minister to copyists) – Most members were converts to Islam • Religious Bureaucracy – Members were ulama, learned scholars of the law, the Sharia – Shaykh al-Islam was head of bureaucracy – Great moral authority, junior partner in government A contemporary version of a Shaykh al-Islam

Army in Ottoman Government • Far superior to European militaries – Professional, disciplined, well -trained, armed Janissaries • Devshirme – system to staff army – Balkan Christian boys kidnapped, converted to Islam – Had unlimited chances to advance – Created new army units that were extremely loyal Illustration of the registration of Christian boys for the devshirme. Ottoman miniature painting, 1558

Army in Ottoman Government • Army was mobile, permanent corps, could be moved about easily • When Janissaries began to own land, they became less loyal, developed local connections Janissaries

Non-Muslims under Ottoman Rule • Varied over time, but generally Jews, Christians treated fairly • There were clear limits to tolerance • Most of Balkans were Orthodox Christians, treated well until 17 th century • They began looking for help from Austria, Russia – were then treated as potential traitors • Bad treatment is basis of hatreds today

Zenith of Ottoman Empire – Suleiman and After • Empire reached peak during Suleiman’s Rule, close to size of Roman Empire • Needed powerful civil and religious ruler • Suleiman withdrew from political affairs, meetings with his divan (council) • Growing difficulty in dealing with West, but did not lose land until Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699 Peace conference in Karlowitz in 1699. Engraving of unknown German artist from the Low Countries

THE MUSLIM EMPIRES IN PERSIA AND INDIA Safavid Empire in Persia • Different from Ottomans – Shi’ite Muslim • Took over much of Persian Muslim state • Lasted about 200 years, strong competition to Ottomans • Reached heights under Shah Abbas I • Cultural high point in Persia • Collapsed in the 1720 s Picture of Shah Esma'il. Safavid Empire

Mughal Empire in India • Turks known as the Mughals (from Mongol) • Delhi Sultanate controlled most of subcontinent, overthrown • Muslim leader Babur established Mughal Muslim Indian dynasty • His grandson, Akbar, the Great – Mughals controlled most of India – Reorganized central government, developed efficient bureaucracy, many other reforms – Religious and social toleration • Ethnically equal society • Repealed poll tax on non-Muslims – Interested in learning – Revived strong sense of national unity Akbar, the Great

RELIGIOUS/ SOCIAL

Mughal Society and Culture • Caste system continued to be refined – Still no social interaction between castes • Sikhs became separate religion, fought Mughals • Hindus adopted Muslim ideas: purdah (seclusion of women) • Introduced Persian culture in literature (Rubaiyat), drama, architecture (Taj Mahal) Guru Nanak was the founder of the religion of Sikhism and the first of the eleven Sikh Gurus, the eleventh being the living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib

INTELLECTUAL

Mughal Society and Culture • • System of religious schools (madrasa) Brahmins handled literacy in the Hindu villages New Urdu language (Pakistan) replaced Sanskrit Cosmopolitan dynasty, aware of local and foreign cultural affairs New Urdu language (Pictured above) replaced Sanskrit

ECONOMIC

Mughal Economy • Agrarian society remained undisturbed • Rewards for men who served in government and military • Peasants were tenants, not proprietors • Village tradition, the caste system, and government tax collectors restricted their freedoms

REVIEW

Discussion Questions 1. How would you compare the Ottoman Turks’ treatment of religious minorities to such treatment in European monarchies? Which would you consider more benevolent and less invasive? How do you account for these differences? 2. The Indian ruler Akbar is usually referred to as “Akbar the Great. ” Why? What did he do to merit that title? What other individuals in history were called ‘the Great? ” What sorts of actions do rulers have to do in order to be given that title? Can you think of anyone in the modern world who might qualify to be called “the Great? ”