Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, & Islam Reaches India
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Transcript of Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, & Islam Reaches India
OTTOMAN EMPIRE, SAFAVID EMPIRE, & ISLAM REACHES INDIA
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
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• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opac9IGV8fM
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.
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
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
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
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
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.”
Akbar the Great (1542-1605)• 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
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