The Role of Islam in the Gunpowder Empires Compare and contrast the role of Islam in the three Muslim empires

Ottoman Empire Ottoman ruling elites were Sunnis Islamic law and customs applied to all Muslims in the empire The government tolerated religious diversity so long as they remained loyal to the empire Non-Muslims formed a significant minority within the empire. They were required to pay a head tax (because of their exemption from the military).

Ottoman Empire Cont. Each religious group organized into administrative unit called a millet Each group had own patriarch or grand rabbi who was intermediary with the government Each millet established own system of justice, educational policies, and welfare

Safavids Used Shi’ite faith as a unifying force Shah acquired divine quality and claimed to be spiritual leader of all Islam Shi’ism was the official state religion Sufi mystical religious groups through out the area Wore distinctive red caps that symbolized allegiance to the twelve imams of the Shi’i faith – they were known as the “red heads”.

Mughals They combined Muslim with Hindu and Persian concepts of religion and cultural values Akbar (ruler of the Mughals), who was an Othodox Muslim had been exposed to other religions, therefore he accepted religious diversity among his people Became steadily more hostile towards Muslims in later years Sponsored a new form of worship called the Divine Faith which combined characteristics of several religions with a central belief in the infallibility of all decisions reached by the emperor

Compare and Contrast All the empires were Muslim in their religious affiliation The Safavids were Shi’ites rather than Sunnis The Ottomans and the Mughals were more tolerant of other religions while the Safavids were more strict about their faith