Governed empire w/ tolerance but taxed non-Muslims A. Rise of the Ottomans Gunpowder enabled Ottomans to successfully conquer territory Captured & enslaved Christian boys from conquered territories Boys converted to Islam and became Janissaries (elite soldiers loyal to sultan) Governed empire w/ tolerance but taxed non-Muslims

‘Sultan’: Arabic for ruler B. Sultan Suleyman ‘Sultan’: Arabic for ruler Ottoman sultan Suleyman I is considered to be the perfect ruler.  Hailed for having important qualities of an Islamic ruler, especially knowledge of justice.  Empire reached its height under Suleyman I 1520-1566

B. Sultan Suleyman cont… Viewed by many as a law giver, a great soldier, and a magnificent poet. Reformed tax system, improved court systems & legal codes & issued new laws to reduce corruption A/K/A – “Suleyman the Magnificent” & “Suleyman the Lawgiver”

Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires, Hagia Sophia Istanbul.

C. Decline of Ottoman Empire Rulers often killed brothers to eliminate rivalries for throne Later heirs were imprisoned until they became sultan This caused weak & inexperienced sultans and led to the decline of the empire

II. Safavid Empire c. 1500 Safavids were Shia; while most Muslims were Sunnis; led to conflict with surrounding empires ‘Shah’ (king) Abbas became greatest Safavid ruler He strengthened military & gained gunpowder & weapons Captured young slaves in Russia & trained them to be soldiers

A. Safavid Culture / Society Abbas ruled during Golden Age Brought Chinese artists to improve quality of tiles & ceramics Created great public buildings decorated with arches & gardens

Safavid Culture / Society cont…. Architecture incl. beautiful domes decorated w/ tile & calligraphy Economy grew – Abbas encouraged manufacturing traditional products like hand woven Persian carpets

III. Mughal Sultanate Akbar the Great, ascended the throne in 1556, at age 13 The third Mughal emperor of India, Akbar won the support of Hindus and Muslims.  Greatest accomplishment was the institution of an efficient bureaucracy that helped to run the empire.

Akbar’s accomplishments: Worked to unify the empire by promoting religious tolerance. He abolished taxes placed on non-Muslims Appointed Hindus to govt. positions

Akbar’s accomplishments: Akbar centralized govt. Reformed tax system Also appointed officials from outside India to prevent regional loyalties Jahangir, Akbar’s son cont. many of his father’s policies

Taj Mahal Built as tomb for wife of Shah Jahan (Akbar’s g’son) Combined Persian, Indian, Muslim architectural styles

Decline of Mughal Empire $$ for Taj Mahal: heavy taxes Taxes caused hardships for people of India Wars were also very costly Shah Jahan (grandson of Akbar) didn’t practice religious tolerance which led to wars against Hindus & Christians

Rebellions broke out c. 1600 Competition for throne resulted in civil war This enabled invaders to come in through the North Result: Territory lost British take over control and colonize India