The Muslim Empires 1450-1800 Chapter 15 – Section 1.

The Muslim Empires1450-1800Chapter 15 – Section 1

The Ottoman EmpireOttoman dynasty started in late

13th century under the leadership of Osman in the NW corner of Anatolian Peninsula.

Originally, Osman Turks were peaceful but as Seljuk Empire began to decline (early 14th century) the Osman Turks began to expand

The Ottoman’s ExpandIn the 14th century, the Ottoman

Turks expanded into the Balkans. ◦Sultan – Ottoman ruler’s title

Strong military was built up◦Janissaries – elite guard

Recruited from the local Christian population in the Balkans – then converted to Islam and trained as foot soldiers or administrators to serve the sultan. (quest #2)

Mehmet II or Mehmed IIRuled the Ottoman

Empire from 1451 to 1481

In 1453, he toppled the Byzantine Empire, capturing Constantinople, renaming it Istanbul, (quest #8) and making it the new Ottoman capital

Expanded the empire to become the ruler of “two lands” (Europe and Asia) and “two seas” (the Mediterranean and the Black)

Scene from the battle defending

Constantinople from a 1499 painting

“What a city we have given over to plunder and destruction.”

Mehmet II when he saw the ruin inflicted on the city of Constantinople

(quest #3)

Sunni Muslim

Watch DVD Constantinople to Istanbul on World History video Program DVD #2(6 ½ minutes)

Sultan Selim I (the Grim)

1514 – 1520Sultan Selim I takes

control over Mesopotamia, Egypt and Arabia – the original heartland of Islam religion

Includes several holy cities of:

JerusalemMakkah (Mecca)Madinah

Sultan Selim IDeclares himself the new “caliph”

[key-lif, kal-if] – defender of the faith and successor to Muhammad (quest #4)

Spread Empire to North AfricaPashas – appointed officials who

collected taxes, maintained law and order and were directly responsible to the sultan’s court in Istanbul.(quest #5)

Sunni Muslim

Suleyman I the Magnificent

Reigned from 1520 to 1566 and continued the expansion

Battle of Mohacs (1526) major victory over the Hungarians

Conquered Baghdad in 1534

Sunni Muslim

Suleyman Mosque in IstanbulThe Suleyman Mosque in Istanbul. At the height of the Ottoman Turkish Empire's power in the 16th century, Sultan Suley-man the Magnificent ordered the construction of this mosque. Surrounding the place of prayer is a great complex of buildings that

house schools, a library, a Turkish bath, a public kitchen, a caravanserai, a hospital and shops. This mosque was designed by the architect Sinan the Great and built in the years 1550 to 1557 A.D.

Turkish Bath

Differences Between Shia and SunniShiites

◦ About 15% of all Muslims

◦ Islam’s leader should be a descendant of Mohammad

◦ Qualified religious leaders have the authority to interpret the sharia (Islamic law)

Sunnis ◦ About 85% of all

Muslims◦ Leaders should be

chosen through ijma, or consensus

◦ The sharia was codified and closed by the 10th century

Nature of Ottoman RuleGunpowder empire – formed by

outside conquerors who unified the regions that they conquered by mastering the technology of firearms

(quest #6)

Sultan◦Supreme authority in both

Political and Military (quest #7)

◦Son always succeeded the father, not necessarily the oldest

Sultan RuleTopkapi – “iron gate” was the

center of the sultan’s powerBuilt in 15th century by Mehmet IIIt had an administrative purpose

and served as the private residence of the ruler and his family. (like Versailles)

Harem – “sacred place” or private domain of the sultan and his wives

Grand Vizier – led the meetings of the imperial council. The sultan sat behind a screen and privately indicted his desires to the grand vizier. (quest #9)

Empire was divided into provinces and districts, each governed by officials

Ulema – administered the legal system and schools for education

Ottoman SocietyFour main occupation groups

◦Peasants (farmed leased land)◦Artisans (organized by craft guild)◦Merchants (most privileged class

outside of ruling elite)◦Pastoral peoples(nomadic herders)

Women were allowed to own and inherit property. They could not be forced into marriage and could seek divorce. (quest #10)

Ottoman Society, cont.Officials and merchants began to

imitate the habits and lifestyles of Europeans.

Wore European clothingCoffee was introduced to

Ottoman society and spread to Europe

Some sultans tried to counter these trends though

Ottoman ArtSultans patrons of the ArtsFrom Mehmet II to early 18th century

saw a flourish a pottery, rugs, silk, textiles, jewelry, arms and armor

Architecture was the greatest contribution of the Ottoman Empire to the world of art (quest #11)

Sinan (greatest Ottoman architect) built 81 mosques including the Suleimaniye Mosque in Istanbul

The Rule of the Safavids(sah-fah-weed)

Chapter 15, section 2

Rise of the Safavid DynastyAt the beginning of the 16th

century, a new dynasty known as the Safavids

Unlike neighboring Islamic countries, the Safavids were Shiite Muslems.

Founder – Shah Ismail ◦Descendant of Safi al-Din (thus name

Safavid) ◦Founded by Shah Ismail in 1501 and

lasted until 1722

Safi al-Din was the leader of a community of Turkish ethnic groups in Azerbaijan near the Caspian Sea. (early 14th century)

1501 – Ismail seized most of Iran and Iraq◦Named himself shah – king of a new

Persian state

Shah IsmailSent Shiite preachers to Ottoman

Empire to convert members – against wishes of the Ottoman Sultan

He also ordered the massacre of Sunni Muslims in Baghdad in 1508.

Sultan Selim I of the Ottoman Empire advanced against the Safavids in Persia and won a major battle in Tabriz. Ismail later regained Tabriz

Battle of ChaldiranThe critical battle in

this campaign was the battle of Chaldiran in 1514

The Ottomans won and temporarily occupied the Safavid capital of Tabriz but could not completely destroy the Safavid state

The Ottomans and Safavids continued to fight intermittingly for the next two centuries

Shah claimed to be the spiritual leader of Islam and spread Islam throughout Persia.

Used Shiite faith as a unifying force for Empire

1580 – Ottomans went on attack again

Placed Azerbaijan under Ottoman rule and controlled the Caspian Sea.

See map on page 469

Shah Abbas 1588 -1629Signed a peace treaty with the

Ottoman’s after the Ottoman attack.

Lost much territoryCapital of Safavids moved to

Isfahan from Tabriz

What lead to fighting of the Ottomans and Safavids?

Shah Abbas 1588 -1629Reached height of glorySystem similar to Janissaries was

created to train administrators to help govern

Army strengthened with latest weapons

Moved against Ottomans in 17th century to try to regain territory

1612 – peace treaty signed to regain Azerbaijan

Safavid Empire lost its vigor after death of Shah Abbas

Religious orthodoxy (traditional religious beliefs) was increased◦Example – women forced to wear

veils again

◦How did the Safavid Empire reach its pinnacle under Shah Abbas?

Shah HusseinEarly 18th centuryAfghan peoples invaded – seized

the capital of IsfahanRuling family forced to retreat to

Azerbaijan

Political and Social StructuresMajority of people were PersianMost were farmers or

townspeople

Shah

Bureaucracy and landed classes

Common people

Role of the ShahSafavid rulers were supported by

Shiite MuslimsThought founder of empire (Shah

Ismail) was a direct successor to the prophet Muhammad.

Shia Islam was the state religionMore available to subjects than

other countries rulersControlled the aristocrats

Culture & ArtsStrong in science, medicine and

mathematicsSaw growth of arts during 1588 – 1629

(Shah Abbas reign)Mosques richly decoratedPalaces beautifulMetalwork, elaborate tiles, delicate glassSilk weavingCarpet weaving flourished (Persian

carpets in demand)Riza-i-Abbasi – most famous artist

1700

The Grandeur of the MogulsChapter 15, section 3

Mogul Dynasty1517 – established a new

dynasty in area of IndiaNot natives of India – but came

from mountainous region north of the Indus River valley.

Founder – BaburHis forces crossed the Khyber

Pass to India in 1517.

BaburForces much smaller but had

advanced weapons including artillery

Captured Delhi and established his power in North India.

The Reign of Akbar 1556 - 1605

Babur’s grandson◦Only 14 when he ascended the

throne◦Intelligent

Mogul rule expanded to most of India

Used heavy artillery to get India under his rule

See page 474

AkbarGreatest of the conquering Mogul

monarchsBest known for humane

character of his ruleTolerate

AkbarMuslim

◦ Adopted a policy of religious tolerance

◦ Tolerated Hindu practices

◦ Welcomed Christian views by Jesuit advisers at court

◦ Took a Hindu princess as one of his wives

Akbar’s RuleTolerant in administration of his

government◦Non-native Muslims filled upper

ranks of government◦Lower ranking positions were often

Hindu.◦Zamindars – local officials often

received plots of farmland for temporary use

◦Zamindars had considerable power in their local district

Akbar EraTime of progressHeavy tax – 1/3 of annual harvest

was given as taxProsperous with foreign trade

◦Included Indian goods, textiles, tropical food, spices, precious stones exported in exchange for gold and silver

Decline of the MogulsJahangir (juh-HAN-GIHR)

succeeded his father Akbar 1605 - 1628

Able and ambitiousStrengthened the central

government’s control over the vast empire

Fell under influence of one of his wives – Persian-born Nur Jahan

Shah Jahan 1628-1658Nur Jahan had arranged a marriage of

her neice to her husband’s third son and ultimate successor, Shah Jahan.

Shah Jahan expanded boundaries to include Deccan Plateau (southern Peninsula of India)

Failed to deal with domestic problemsInherited empty treasury, but put heavy

strain on treasury with military and expensive building projects – raised taxes

Shah Aurangzeb Crowns selfBecame ill in mid 1650’s.

◦Sons struggled for power during this time

Aurangzeb (son) killed brother and put father in (Shah Jahan) in prison

Crowned himself emperor in 1658

Shah AurangzebOne of the most controversial rulers in

the history of IndiaHigh principlesTried to eliminate India’s “social evils.”

◦Forbade Hindu custom of suttee (cremating a widow on husband’s funeral pyre)

◦Forbade gambling and drinkingDevout Muslim

◦Reversed Mogul policies of religious tolerance

◦Hindus were forced to convert to Islam

The British in India1650 – British trading forts were

established in Surat (now city of Calcutta)

Traded cotton for spicesSir Robert Clive – Chief

representative for East India Company

French also established their own forts on the east coast of India

See map p. 476

Mogul SocietyMoguls were foreigners in IndiaMuslims ruling HindusAs Hindus, women had an active

role – for political advice, some fought on battlefields, some received salaries, some owned land and took part in business

Under Muslim rule – certain restrictions were put on women

Mogul CultureTwo lifestyles – Indian and Persian

coming together with beautiful architectural style

Taj Mahal – example of this◦Built by the emperor Shah Jahan in the

mid-17th century in memory of his wife – Mumtax Mahal. She died at age 39 giving birth to 14th child!

◦Employed 20,000 workers◦Lasted more than 20 years to build◦Considered most beautiful building in India

Mogul ArtPaintings also artistic

achievement of Moguls“Akbar style” – included the

portrayal of humans in action – characteristic not seen in Persian art.

Imiated European art forms – including use of perspective and lifelike forms

The Chrysler Building

Ottoman Empire map http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~helfgott/maps-ottoman-empire.htm

Selim Ihttp://fast.mediamatic.nl/f/hmfm/image/901/1074-235-251.jpg

Sultans picture

http://tomgpalmer.com/2009/09/26/no-doubt-a-sad-day/

Turkish bath

http://homepage.mac.com/melissaenderle/Serbia/villages.htm