2. Sunni Muslims Dominating pwr of Med for centuries

3. Present-day Iran Shi’ite Muslims 12 th Imam Close ties to India Limited access to water routes

4. Mughal Empire Founded by descendants of Tamerlane Muslim minority controlled Hindu majority At times used “terror tactics” to control Hindu majority

5. All were “gunpowder empires”, relied on professional military, practiced varying degrees of tolerance

6. All had strong central govt; with ruler who had absolute power (Safavid – 12 th Imam) Suleiman, Abbas I, Akbar were absolute rulers at height of each empire, were also contemporaries. Each used slavery – status varied widely (i.e. concubines, military, servants, etc) Each prospered from trade Reasons for decline similar Inflation and high taxation of lower classes Weak rulers, corruption in govt