Ch. 28: Islamic Empires of the Early Modern Era

From 1300 to 1700, three “gunpowder empires” dominated parts of Europe, Africa, & Asia The Safavid Empire The Mughal Empire The Ottoman Empire Three of the great empires of history—the Ottomans in Turkey, the Safavids in Persia, and the Mughals in India—emerged in the Muslim world between the 14th and the 18th centuries. As powerful societies moved to expand their empires, Turkish, Persian, Mongol, and Arab ways of life blended. The result was a flowering of Islamic culture that peaked in the 16th century. The rulers of all three great Muslim empires of this era based their authority on Islam. They based their power on strong armies, advanced technology, and loyal administrative officers.

These empires were unique, but shared some similarities: All 3 empires were able to conquer neighboring people because they formed strong armies using cannons & artillery Three of the great empires of history—the Ottomans in Turkey, the Safavids in Persia, and the Mughals in India—emerged in the Muslim world between the 14th and the 18th centuries. As powerful societies moved to expand their empires, Turkish, Persian, Mongol, and Arab ways of life blended. The result was a flowering of Islamic culture that peaked in the 16th century. The rulers of all three great Muslim empires of this era based their authority on Islam. They based their power on strong armies, advanced technology, and loyal administrative officers. All 3 empires were Islamic & ruled by Muslim leaders with well-organized gov’ts made up of loyal bureaucrats All 3 empires blended their culture with neighboring societies to create a high point of Islamic culture

The Ottoman Empire Three of the great empires of history—the Ottomans in Turkey, the Safavids in Persia, and the Mughals in India—emerged in the Muslim world between the 14th and the 18th centuries. As powerful societies moved to expand their empires, Turkish, Persian, Mongol, and Arab ways of life blended. The result was a flowering of Islamic culture that peaked in the 16th century. The rulers of all three great Muslim empires of this era based their authority on Islam. They based their power on strong armies, advanced technology, and loyal administrative officers.

The Ottomans: Empire Builders Mongol invasions & fall of Abbasid Caliphate allowed Ottomans to build power base in Anatolia (Turkey) Osman—early leader, dominated other Turkic groups 1350s--Expansion into Europe! Mehmed II –Conquered Constantinople in 1453, w/ siege warfare, cannons Then further into Europe—Greece, Albania, Black & Caspian Seas Invaded Italy & attempted to capture Pope, but failed Mehmed the Conqueror

Hagia Sophia after Ottoman Conquest

Ottoman Empire: A Military State? Ghazi--Muslim religious warriors; “sword of God” Military leaders played prominent role in Ottoman gov’t. “Warrior aristocracy” competed w/ religious leaders for control of bureaucracy Janissaries--conscripted boys (Christians), military slaves received special training, learned Turkish language, & converted to Islam Janissaries pledged loyalty to sultan (became his private army)—led to decline in role of aristocrats A “Gunpowder Empire”—soldiers were outfitted with primitive gunpowder weapons & cannons

Ottoman Sultans & their Court “Absolute” monarchs?? Sultans dealt with many factions Ex.: Janissaries vs. religious scholars Sultans were military leaders & ran an org. bureaucracy Suleyman the Magnificent Height of imperialism (conquered Baghdad & Belgrade) Put pressure on Habsburgs and European vessels in Mediterranean However, sultans grew distant/secluded; focused on large harems more than political and economic issues Suleyman the Magnificent

Battle of Lepanto (vs. Austrian Hapsburgs, 1571)

Flowering of Ottoman Culture Constantinople—bad scene immediately after 1453! Mehmed began restoration; converted Hagia Sophia to mosque (Aya Sofya); built new mosques, palaces, hospitals, gardens, etc. Adapted Byz ideas—aqueducts, concrete domes, markets, walls Suleymaniye mosque is considered a hallmark of Ottoman architecture Topkapi Palace housed gov’t offices, residence for sultan and his harem, pleasure pavilion, etc.

Inside the Topkapi Palace (Harem’s den?) Suleiman Mosque Inside the Topkapi Palace (Harem’s den?)

Flowering of Ottoman Culture Cosmopolitan markets Coffeehouses—place for men to gather, smoke, talk politics; key for social & cultural life in Constantinople, poets, scholars Commerce regulated by Otto gov’t, inspectors, guilds controlled trade/quality/training Linguistic heritage—Arabic used for law & religion, Turkish preferred for arts & bureaucracy Artistic legacy—poetry, arabesque mosaics, ceramics, carpet, architecture

Ottoman Decline The Empire was officially dismantled after World War I Ottoman Empire lasted 600 years; long-lived REASONS for DECLINE: Limits of expansion by late 17th C—no new conquests, started to lose landslost tax revenue Corruption among gov’t. officials; local officials kept revenues & squeezed peasants for more rebellions! Sultans became disconnected (focus on pleasure over governing) viziers & Janissaries gained more power (were less loyal) CULTURAL CONSERVATISM—ignorance of European advancements & resistance to printing press Military technology fell by wayside (Ottomans continued to use large cannons when Europeans adapted light artillery) The Empire was officially dismantled after World War I

The Safavid Empire Three of the great empires of history—the Ottomans in Turkey, the Safavids in Persia, and the Mughals in India—emerged in the Muslim world between the 14th and the 18th centuries. As powerful societies moved to expand their empires, Turkish, Persian, Mongol, and Arab ways of life blended. The result was a flowering of Islamic culture that peaked in the 16th century. The rulers of all three great Muslim empires of this era based their authority on Islam. They based their power on strong armies, advanced technology, and loyal administrative officers.

Safavid rulers were called shahs, using the Persian title for king Unlike the Ottomans who were Sunni Muslims, the Safavids believed in Shi’a Islam & strictly converted the people they conquered The Safavid Empire 41a - describe the geographical extent of the Ottoman Empire during the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Safavid Empire during the reign of Shah Abbas I, and the Mughal Empire during the reigns of Babur and Akbar 41b - explain the ways in which these Muslim empires influenced religion, law and the arts in their parts of the world The Safavids were Turks living in Persia who built a powerful gunpowder army & created an empire in modern-day Iran Safavid rulers were called shahs, using the Persian title for king

the Safavid Empire: Shiite v. Sunni Rose from Turkic nomads (post-Mongols & Tamerlane) “Frontier warriors”—Shi’ites Differences over views on caliph grew into doctrinal, ritual & legal differences conflict! Safi al-Din—a Sufi mystic; led campaign to purify & reform Islam) among Turks in early 1300s Isma’il—was proclaimed shah (emperor) by 1501; conquered most of Persia & waged war w/ Ottomans

the Safavid Empire: Shiite Rule Shah Isma’il proclaimed Twelver Shiism the offical religion of his realm Twelver Shi’ites believe there were 12 rightful imams after Muhammad (12th was driven into hiding) Believed he will return to lead them & spread the “true” religion Qizilbash-followers who wore “red hats” w/ 12 pleats to symbolize the 12 imams Battle of Chaldiran, 1514 battle w/Ottomans (Sunnis); driven by religious fervor Safavids declined to use artillery, dismissing it as “unmanly” and unreliable (they also believed the Shah could make them invincible) Safavid loss in the battle hindered growth of Shiite sect (Shiite rule became confined to Persia)

the Safavid Empire: Shi’ite Rule Shah Abbas I Encouraged trade (regionally & even w/ Europeans) Moved capital to Isfahan (cultural center) Promoted culture & the arts Building projects: great mosques, universities, gardens, bath houses Arts: miniatures, mosaics, carpets Society & Gender roles Patriarchy (based on Sharia law) Women had legal disadvantages Seclusion & veiling, imposed on all, but especially elites

Safavid silk carpet Persian Miniature

Shah Mosque Isfahan, 1611-1666

Decline & fall of Safavids Shah Abbas I paranoid: blinded or killed suitable successors Practice of secluding princesweak leaders Foreign threats--nomads, Ottomans, Mughals March-Oct. 1722: Afghani attacks, Isfahan fell Nadir Khan Afshar—winner of post-fall struggles for control; self-proclaimed shah in 1736; short-lived Region became battleground for stronger neighbors

The Mughal Empire Three of the great empires of history—the Ottomans in Turkey, the Safavids in Persia, and the Mughals in India—emerged in the Muslim world between the 14th and the 18th centuries. As powerful societies moved to expand their empires, Turkish, Persian, Mongol, and Arab ways of life blended. The result was a flowering of Islamic culture that peaked in the 16th century. The rulers of all three great Muslim empires of this era based their authority on Islam. They based their power on strong armies, advanced technology, and loyal administrative officers.

Mughals in India Babur Expulsion from steppes = motivation for conquest Turkic background Used mobile artillery & cavalry to defeat larger Lodi force; scared the elephants! outnumbered, defeated Hindu kings Character: military strategist, fighter, patron of arts & music, writer, musician, designer of gardens Capital at Delhi Babur’s victory at Panipat, 1526

Mughals in India Akbar height of Mughal rule Had a vision for unity in empire Social reforms: reconciliation w/Hindu princes, ended jizya, Hindus in bureaucracy, allowed widows to remarry, discouraged child marriages, made sati illegal, relief from purdah (seclusion) Tolerance & universal religion: “Divine Faith” Hindu warrior aristocrats controlled peasant villages; local controls left to support centralized gov’t Economy: collected income via tribute, taxes

Mughal Architecture Red Fort, Taj Mahal (built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife) Blends Persian & Hindu traditions (domes, arches, minarets w/ornamentation) Symmetry, color, creativitycreate paradise on earth Taj Mahal Agra, India 1631-47

Decline of Mughal India Peace & stability weakened by religious tensions between Muslims, Hindus, Sufis, and Sikhs Sikhism: new sect in NW India, tried to bridge diff bet Hinduism & Islam, but persecution of Sikhs led to a rise in anti-Muslim feelings From Shah Jahan’s reign on, rulers began to ignore admin., milit., & social needs for reform Econ production & standard of living declined Rulers conquered new lands, but spent lots of money & did not grow bureaucracy to govern them Peasant uprisings, revolts of local Hindu princes Local officials taking revenues from central gov’t Invaders Open to foreign influence—England waiting for economic opportunity & colonization                               

Siege attack on Rajput forces                                                                  Akbar riding an elephant

Madonna and Child Turkey commissioned by Jahangir

Shah Jahan’s elephant Indian Bird