1. Central and Southern Asian Empires: The Safavids & Mughals
Libertyville HS

2. Safavid Dynasty ( )
One of the most significant periods in history of Iran
At it’s height, the dynasty ruled modern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq & parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Caucasus region
Most of history spent fighting Ottoman Empire

3. Origins Persian region was politically decentralized
Shia religion unified people
In 1501, Ismail, a local noble in Northern Iran, began conquering neighbors
Called himself “Shah”, or King, of Iran
Clashes with Ottomans lasted into his son’s reign (against Suleiman) & beyond
Sunni vs. Shia
Control over Mesopotamia

4. Alliance and Expansion
Around 1530, the Safavids allied with a new Muslim state in India, the Mughals
Alliance secured the borders of each state, freeing Safavids to focus on Ottomans
Peace between Ottomans, Safavids in 1533 let each empire focus on internal affairs
First meeting between Safavids, Mughals

5. Shah Abbas (1587-1629) Greatest Safavid ruler Military reforms
Adopted gunpowder weapons, cannon
Adopted European military organization (taught by English)
Moved capitol to center of Empire
Centralized empire’s government, increasing own power in process
Expanded trade with English and Dutch, in India
Sent diplomats to Europe to organize fight vs. Ottomans
Safavid Embassy to Venice (1595)

6. Decline of Safavids
Rise of English and Dutch naval power in India cut off Safavid trade with East Asia
Ottomans continued their attacks in West
Alliance between Mughal, Safavids broke down
Weak rulers, disinterest in ruling & series of assassinations led to fall of dynasty in 1747
BIG QUESTION: Why didn’t Safavids challenge Europe for dominance?
Shah entertaining foreigner dignitaries (1640)

7. Mughal Empire (1526-1857) Named to honor Mongols
At height, empire covered almost entire Indian subcontinent
million people
1.2 million square miles

8. Founding: Babur ( )
Distant relative of Genghis Khan, through mother
Also related to Tamerlane, an earlier ruler of Chagatai Khanate
Spent most of life fighting in Central Asia & India to carve out territories for self, family

9. Rise and Expansion of Mughals
In 1526, Babur finally conquered Delhi, establishing Mughal Empire
By 1627, Empire dominated Indian subcontinent
Was arguably richest empire in world in 1600s and early 1700s

10. Mughal Society and Economy
Under greatest ruler, Akbar, Mughal Empire was religiously open
No dhimmi tax
Included Indians in government
Divided lands into raj (states) to make governing easier
Economy based on cotton production and textiles
Greatly expanded rice production fed large population
Taj Mahal (1630) commissioned

11. Decline and Fall of Mughal Empire
After 1707, civil wars rocked Empire
External invasions from Central Asian states
Expanding power of British East India Company
Mughals never adopted Western style of warfare
Fought with elephants, traditional spearmen and cavalry
No match for European style armies
Why didn’t Mughal Empire challenge Europe for dominance?