Ottomans-Safavids-Mughals

Gunpowder Empires For more than six centuries, from about 1290 until 1922, the Ottoman Empire was one of the world's great powers. The center of the empire was located in Anatolia, in the region of modern day Turkey. At the height of its influence in the 1500's, it was the mightiest empire on earth. It nearly surrounded the Mediterranean Sea, covering much of southeastern Europe, northern Africa, and the Arab Middle East. The Safavids became a ruling dynasty that dominated Persia, known as Iran today, in the 1500’s and 1600’s. Named for an ancestor by the name of Safi Al-din, who ruled in the late 13th Century, the Safavid family became the spiritual leaders among a number of Turkish tribes east of Asia Minor establishing their empire near the Caspian Sea. The Mughal’s were a Muslim dynasty in India founded in the 16th Century by a descendant of both Genghis Khan and Timur-i Lang who was called Babur. The dynasty ruled most of the Northern Indian subcontinent until the mid-18th century. The word Mogul is the Arabic and Persian version of Mongol. All three of these empires became known as the gunpowder empires because guns were critical to the rise of the empire.

Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman Empire The most successful ghazi (warrior for Islam) was Osman. People in the West called him Othman and named his followers Ottomans. Osman built a small Muslim state in Anatolia between 1300 and 1326. His successors expanded it by buying land, forming alliances with some emirs, and conquering others. The Ottomans’ military success was largely based on the use of gunpowder. They replaced their archers on horseback with musket-carrying foot soldiers. They also were among the first people to use cannons as offensive weapons. Even heavily walled cities fell to an all-out attack by the Turks. 

Ottoman Empire The second Ottoman leader, Orhan I, was Osman’s son. He felt strong enough to declare himself sultan, meaning “overlord” or “one with power.” And in 1361, the Ottomans captured Adrianople (ay•dree•uh•NOH•puhl), the second most important city in the Byzantine Empire. A new Turkish empire was on the rise. The Ottomans acted kindly toward the people they conquered. They ruled through local officials appointed by the sultan and often improved the lives of the peasants. Most Muslims were required to serve in Turkish armies but did not have to pay a personal tax to the state. Non-Muslims did not have to serve in the army but had to pay the tax.

Ottoman Expansion

Suleiman the Lawgiver Click the image to go to the site

Ottoman Art Choose one of the following (slides 9-13). Examine it closely and describe in detail. Architecture Calligraphy Embroidery Ceramics Miniatures :

Architecture

Calligraphy

Embroidery

Ceramics

Miniatures

Safavid Empire Click on the picture to go to the site.

Shah Abbas Introduction to British Museum Exhibit Some cool images from the exhibit.

Mughal Empire Click on the picture to go to the site.

Click on the image to begin a virtual tour of the Taj Majal.

Comparing the Gunpowder Empires

The Decline of the Gunpowder Empires Click the image to watch the video.