The Islamic World in the Early Modern Period: The Three Muslim Gunpowder Empires Ottomans Safavids Mughals

Mongol siege of Baghdad The Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries destroyed Muslim unity as the Abbasids and other regional dynasties were overthrown. After the Mongol period, three empires rose and expanded throughout much of the Islamic world. The Ottomans were the most expansive and powerful of the three. Mongol siege of Baghdad

Crash Course Episode 19: Venice and the Ottoman Empire 1. In what ways was the Venetian-Ottoman relationship mutually beneficial? How were religious differences and conflicts reconciled? 2. Even before the Ottoman empire entered the scene (in the 1300’s), what was the relationship between Venice and the Islamic world? 3. How was Venice politically structured? 4. Who were Mehmet II and Suleiman I? 5. What was the devshirme (devsirme)?

The Ottoman Empire The Ottoman dynasty was founded by Turkic people who migrated into Anatolia in the mid 13th century. After securing dominance, the Ottomans began to expand in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. After defeating the Byzantines in 1453, Istanbul became the capital. The Ottomans continued to expand into the Balkan peninsula, as far north as Hungary. Many diverse ethnic and religious groups lived within the Ottoman Empire. Millets were communities of non-Muslims who had some degree of autonomy in the empire.

The Ottoman Janissaries The janissaries were another important and powerful force in the Ottoman system. Elite infantry divisions of the imperial army Most janissaries were conscripted from the Christian Balkans. Young boys were recruited, educated, and converted to Islam Over time, the janissaries became a powerful, conservative political force Resistance to modernization within the army was one of the signs of decline in the Ottoman empire

Registration of boys for the devşirme Registration of boys for the devşirme. Ottoman miniature painting from the Süleymanname, 1558.

Suleiman (Suleyman) the Magnificent

Suleiman the Magnificent (r Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520-1566) was sultan during the height of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. 1. modernized the army 2. conquered territory in Mesopotamia, North Africa, and Eastern Europe 3. Improved justice system (known as “the lawgiver.”) 4. self-proclaimed “protector of the sacred places” meaning Mecca and Medina 5. art and literature flourished under Suleiman

Eventually, lagging industry and reliance on agriculture, over-taxing the peasants, revolts, and disputes with neighboring kingdoms and states led to Ottoman decline. Plus, new challenges (especially economic) resulting from the rise of the West weakened the empire. Signs of decline began in the late 17th century, though the empire lasted all the way up to WWI.

What areas that were once part of the Ottoman empire have experienced regional conflicts in modern times?

Article Questions: Ottoman Inter-communal Relations What diverse groups does the article mention as living in Ottoman lands? How has the word “Turk” been used by different groups at different times in history? Explain how millets functioned economically, politically, and legally. What two conflicting views are given by Bulgarian Christians regarding their Ottoman rulers? Which do you find more reliable? Why? What role did Islam play in the Ottoman world? What were the Tanzimat Reforms? What is your assessment of the Ottoman system regarding diverse minority groups? Was the Ottoman empire successful in tolerantly and/or fairly treating non-Muslims? Does Ottoman history give us any insight into modern day conflicts in the region?

“...A remarkable thing which I saw in this country was the respect shown to women by the Turks, for they hold a more dignified position than the men. ... I saw also the wives of the merchants and common [men]. [Their faces are] visible for the Turkish women do not veil themselves. Sometimes a woman will be accompanied by her husband and anyone seeing him would take him for one of her servants.” -Excerpt from the journal of Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveler in the 1300’s (at a time when we first start to see the growing prominence of Turkic peoples in the Muslim world.)

Miniature of Suleiman the Magnificent receiving an ambassador. Miniature depicting Suleiman marching with an army, summer 1554

Ottoman elite at a feast.

The Safavid dynasty was founded after the fall of the Mongols and Timurids in the 14th century. The Safavids were Shia, and spread Shia beliefs and traditions among Turkic and Persian peoples. Modern Iran, which was the heart of the Safavid empire, is overwhelmingly Shia to this day. Territorial and religious disputes often broke out between the Sunni Ottomans and Shia Safavids. In 1501, the Safavid king Ismail was proclaimed shah after a series of struggles with rival groups. Tabriz became the capital, though later it would be moved to Isfahan. Safavid Persia

The greatest Safavid ruler was Shah Abbas the Great (r. 1588-1629). - centralized the government - improved and organized the military - allied with European states against the Ottomans - tolerant policies toward non- Muslims - built a capital at Isfahan The Safavid Empire declined after the death of Shah Abbas. Eventually, religious disputes and rebellions (such as that of the Sunni Afghans) caused the empire to weaken. Like the Ottomans, an inability to compete with the West also caused problems.

Safavid Art Remember, Persian art and culture was highly esteemed by the educated and elite throughout the Islamic world since Abbassid times.

“Nobles at the Court of Shah Abbas I”

The Mughal Empire The Mughal Empire ruled most of India and Pakistan in the 16th and 17th centuries. It consolidated Islam in South Asia, and spread Muslim (and particularly Persian) arts and culture. The Mughals were Muslims who ruled a country with a large Hindu majority. However for much of their empire they allowed Hindus to reach senior government or military positions. The Mughals brought several changes to India: Centralized government which brought together many smaller kingdoms Delegated government with respect for human rights Persian art and culture Persian language mixed with Arabic and Hindi to create Urdu Periods of great religious tolerance A style of architecture (e.g. the Taj Mahal)

Mughals

Akbar (grandson of Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty) became ruler of the empire in 1556 at the age of 13. (Elizabeth I, Phillip II, and Shah Abbas I ruled in the same time frame.) He expanded the empire throughout much of northern India. Centralized and reformed the government by appointing military governors in charge of different regions. Began taxing the nobility as well as lower classes. To win over Hindus, Akbar eliminated the jizya and pilgrimage taxes levied by previous Muslim rulers in India.

Akbar the Great

Hindus were allowed to retain their own laws and courts Akbar married 5000 wives for political reasons – mainly to cement relations with regional kingdoms. His favorite wife was a Hindu princess – their son Jahangir became the next Mughal emperor. Akbar allowed for a great degree of regional autonomy within the empire. Hindus were allowed to retain their own laws and courts This loose style of government became the model also used by the British when they began building their colonial government in the 18th and 19th centuries. Discontent among Hindus, unrest, and the weakening of the Mughal empire marked the harsh reign of Aurangzeb, the great-grandson of Akbar. The British would eventually capitalize on these weaknesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B_X2xOBpFc

Discussion Questions: Compare the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires. How do they compare socially, politically, and economically? What were some main differences among these three empires?