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

The Mongol invasions of the 13 th and 14 th 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

The Ottoman dynasty was founded by Turkic people who migrated into Anatolia in the mid 13 th century. After securing dominance, the Ottomans began to expand in the 14 th, 15 th and 16 th 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 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.

The Ottoman Janissaries 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.

Suleiman the Magnificent (r ) was sultan at the height of the Ottoman Empire in the 16 th cen. 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, the following led to Ottoman decline: lagging industry reliance on agriculture over-taxing the peasants Revolts disputes with neighboring kingdoms and states Plus, new challenges (especially economic) resulting from the rise of the West weakened the empire. Signs of decline began in late 17 th century, though the empire lasted all the way up to WWI.

The Safavid dynasty was founded after the fall of the Mongols and Timurids in the 14 th century. The Safavids were Shia, and spread Shia beliefs and traditions among Turkic and Persian peoples. Safavi d Persia

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.

- 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 greatest Safavid ruler was Shah Abbas the Great (r )

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. The greatest Safavid ruler was Shah Abbas the Great (r )

1.The Mughal Empire ruled most of India and Pakistan in the 16th and 17th centuries. 2.It consolidated Islam in South Asia, and spread Muslim (and particularly Persian) arts and culture. 3.Mughals - 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 Mughal Empire

1.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 & Hindi to create Urdu Periods of great religious tolerance A style of architecture (the Taj Mahal) The Mughal Empire

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 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 18 th and 19 th 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.