Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, & Islam Reaches India

Rise of the Ottoman Empire The Ottomans were a nomadic group of Turkish people originating from Central Asia Around the 13th century they emerged as the rulers of the Islamic world In 1453, they captured Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. They renamed it Istanbul. Because of the Ottoman Empires central location, they interacted with both Eastern & Western Culture throughout history. They also conquered Egypt & North Africa, re-uniting all of the Muslim world under their rule, except for Persia and Afghanistan

Ottoman Government The Ottoman Empire was led by the Sultan (ruler) and his lavish court. Every Sultan was expected to begin their reign by expanding the Empire The Sultan in Istanbul governed the entire empire as an all-powerful ruler. The Sultan was assisted by a special army – The Janissaries, who were recruited in childhood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opac9IGV8fM

Ottoman Diversity The Ottoman’s recognized the Diversity of their empire and were tolerable of Christians and Jews They even allowed Christians and Jews to be represented by their own leaders and to collect their own taxes This contributed to Ottoman prosperity and stability, allowing them to peacefully trade throughout the Mediterranean.

Suleiman the Magnificent The Ottoman Empire reached its height in the mid-1500s, under Suleiman the Magnificent The Ottoman controlled most Mediterranean trade until their defeat in 1571 by Spaniards & Venetians

Persia: Safavid Empire In the early 1500’s the Safavids created a great Islamic empire in Persia Like the Ottomans, the Safavids were a Turkish tribe However, Safavids were Shiite Muslims who opposed the Ottomans, because they were Sunnis This association with Shiite Islam gave the Safavids an Identity separate from their Muslim neighbors that still affects Iran today. Safavid rulers, known as Shahs, used their large standing armies to maintain control

India: Review of Hinduism Hinduism is the predominant religion in India It believes in many gods, reincarnation, and a rigid caste system Hindus were expected to behave well according to their role in society Depending on how well they lived their life, they would die and be reborn in a higher or lower caste. Good life = reborn in higher caste Bad life = reborn in lower caste

Muslim Invasion of India In the 11th and 12th centuries, Turkish Muslims invaded India’s northern plains, destroying Hindu temples and cities. Muslims established independent cities in Northern India known as sultanates The most important Sultanate was established in 1200 in Delhi After 1200, Sultans of Delhi ruled much of Northern and Central India for the next 320 years At the end of the 14th century, the Mongol ruler Tamerlane destroyed the city of Delhi and slaughtered its inhabitants

The Mughal Empire In 1526 Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane and Genghis Khan, defeated the Sultan of Delhi and founded the Mughal Empire The Mughals were Muslims with close ties to Safavid Persia Because the later Ottoman and Mughal Empires used guns to control their populations and fight enemies, they are referred to as “Gunpowder Empires.”

Akbar the Great (1542-1605) Babur’s grandson, Akbar was the most famous Mughal ruler Akbar conquered neighboring lands to unite Northern India under his rule. Akbar promoted religious toleration in India and made use of Hindu officials in governement Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan was not as sympathetic to Hindus He imposed many special taxes and ordered the destruction of many Hindu temples Jahan did have the Taj Mahal built

Sikhism Sikhism developed in Northern India as a result of the interaction between Muslim & Hindu beliefs Like Hindus. Sikhs believe in reincarnation Like Muslims,Sikhs believe in one God, and that God can be known through deep contemplation Sikhs do not follow the caste system, because they believe everyone has equal status in the eyes of God