1. Governed empire w/ tolerance but taxed non-Muslims
A. Rise of the Ottomans
Gunpowder enabled Ottomans to successfully conquer territory
Captured & enslaved Christian boys from conquered territories
Boys converted to Islam and became Janissaries (elite soldiers loyal to sultan)
Governed empire w/ tolerance but taxed non-Muslims

2. ‘Sultan’: Arabic for ruler
B. Sultan Suleyman
‘Sultan’: Arabic for ruler
Ottoman sultan Suleyman I is considered to be the perfect ruler. 
Hailed for having important qualities of an Islamic ruler, especially knowledge of justice. 
Empire reached its height under Suleyman I

3. B. Sultan Suleyman cont…
Viewed by many as a law giver, a great soldier, and a magnificent poet.
Reformed tax system, improved court systems & legal codes & issued new laws to reduce corruption
A/K/A – “Suleyman the Magnificent” & “Suleyman the Lawgiver”

4. Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires, Hagia Sophia Istanbul.

5. C. Decline of Ottoman Empire
Rulers often killed brothers to eliminate rivalries for throne
Later heirs were imprisoned until they became sultan
This caused weak & inexperienced sultans and led to the decline of the empire

6. II. Safavid Empire c. 1500
Safavids were Shia; while most Muslims were Sunnis; led to conflict with surrounding empires
‘Shah’ (king) Abbas became greatest Safavid ruler
He strengthened military & gained gunpowder & weapons
Captured young slaves in Russia & trained them to be soldiers

7. A. Safavid Culture / Society
Abbas ruled during Golden Age
Brought Chinese artists to improve quality of tiles & ceramics
Created great public buildings decorated with arches & gardens

8. Safavid Culture / Society cont….
Architecture incl. beautiful domes decorated w/ tile & calligraphy
Economy grew – Abbas encouraged manufacturing traditional products like hand woven Persian carpets

9. III. Mughal Sultanate
Akbar the Great, ascended the throne in 1556, at age 13
The third Mughal emperor of India, Akbar won the support of Hindus and Muslims. 
Greatest accomplishment was the institution of an efficient bureaucracy that helped to run the empire.

10. Akbar’s accomplishments:
Worked to unify the empire by promoting religious tolerance.
He abolished taxes placed on non-Muslims
Appointed Hindus to govt. positions

11. Akbar’s accomplishments:
Akbar centralized govt.
Reformed tax system
Also appointed officials from outside India to prevent regional loyalties
Jahangir, Akbar’s son cont. many of his father’s policies

12. Taj Mahal Built as tomb for wife of Shah Jahan (Akbar’s g’son)
Combined Persian, Indian, Muslim architectural styles

13. Decline of Mughal Empire
$$ for Taj Mahal: heavy taxes
Taxes caused hardships for people of India
Wars were also very costly
Shah Jahan (grandson of Akbar) didn’t practice religious tolerance which led to wars against Hindus & Christians

14. Rebellions broke out c. 1600
Competition for throne resulted in civil war
This enabled invaders to come in through the North
Result: Territory lost
British take over control and colonize India