1. Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, & Islam Reaches India

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

11. 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

14. 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

16. 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.”

17. Akbar the Great ( )
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

19. 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