The “Gunpowder Empires”

Islamic Land-based Empires

Critical Intro:• What was the main reasoning for the

religious conflict between the Ottomans and Safavids?

• What was the religious commonality between the Ottomans and Mughals?

• How were the 3 “Gunpowder Empires” more similar to Russia rather than Western Europe?

Islamic Land-Based Empires – 1450-1750“Gunpowder Empires”

Ottoman Empire:Original location: Asia MinorExpansion and extent of the Ottoman Empire:Southwest AsiaSoutheastern EuropeBalkan PeninsulaNorth AfricaCharacteristics:Capital = Constantinople renamed IstanbulIslamic Sunni religion = unifying force that accepted other religionsMain trade = coffee & ceramics

Mughal Empire:Location: North IndiaContribution of Mughal Rulers:- Further spread of Islam into India- Art & architecture – Taj Mahal- Establishment of European trading posts- Influence of Indian textiles: British textile industry expands; peasant labor intensifies.Trade with European Nations- Portugal, England, France, & the Netherlands (Dutch) competed for the Indian Ocean trade by establishing coastal ports on the Indian sub-continentSouthern India trade:Silk, spices and gems

Safavid Empire:Original Location: SW Asia, Persia, Modern IranExpansion and extent of the Safavid Empire:Hindu Kush Mts. in the east (to Mughal Empire)Zagros Mts. in the west (to Ottoman Empire)Characteristics:Persian culture and architectureShia Islam unified and legitimized empire and rule Main trade = Persian carpets

.Tours - 732The Ottoman Empire

Ottoman JanissariesElite military group;Power based on cannons & firearms

Battle of LepantoOttoman Empire vs. Spain

Spain wins; Ottomans lose control of Mediterranean

I. Ottoman Empire Special TopicsA. Ottoman treatment of non-Muslims

1. Millet System = “Millet” comes from Arabic word for nation

2. Religious groups = Millets3. Christians = Millet; Jews = Millet4. Millets could choose own religious leader 5. Follow own religious laws6. Polytheists persecuted

Shah Abbas the GreatSafavid Ruler

II. Safavid Empire Special TopicsA. Innovation in Visual Arts

1. Miniature Paintingsa. Chinese influence via Mongolsb. small painting on paper (book or art)c. Persian/Safavid miniatures = dominant influence on other Islamic miniature traditionsd. more human figures than wall paintings

Safavid architecture – colorful floral designs

II. Safavid Empire Special TopicsB. Ottoman-Safavid Conflict

1. Ottoman Sunni vs. Safavid Shia conflicta. continual border fightingb. Ottoman take Safavid territoryc. Result = Sunni-Shia conflict today in

region (Iraq & Iran)

Miniature depicting Ottoman victory over the Safavids

Architectural Styles

Ottoman Safavid Mughal

III. Mughal Empire Special TopicsA. New Form of Religion

1. Sikhisma. Originated w/Indian community free of caste distinctions.b. Combine tenants of Islam &Hinduism c. Goal = reconcile Hinduism & Islamd. Mughal persecution of Sikhs = Sikh

rebellion & Mughal decline

III. Mughal Empire Special TopicsB. Intensification of Peasant Labor

1. Indian cotton textile productiona. British textile industry demands = b. more Indian production/

increased peasant labor

III. Mughal Empire Special TopicsC. Existing/Empowered Elites in India

1. Zamindar Systema. Zamindars = regional tax collectorsb. Significant regional powerc. Increased power under Mughals &

Britishd. Raised taxes on & took land from

peasants.e. Many suffered/starved

III. Mughal Empire Special TopicsD. Monumental Architecture = Arts as displays of political power

1. Taj Mahala. Shah Jahan immortalized wife in great tombb. Magnificent white marble templec. Example of Mughal wealth/power

Taj MahalMughal India

Constructed under Shah Jahan’s rule

On which seas did the Ottomans have the greatest influence?

What is the commonality between Tours and Vienna?

Significant accomplishment of Suleiman the Magnificent?

In short, how did Janissaries gain power & influence?

Describe the “Devshirme” system.

Like the Byzantine Empire before it, the Ottoman Empire enjoyed commercial success by controlling which narrow waterway?

Reasons contributing to Ottoman decline?

Economically, how were the Ottomans weakened by European nations?

Which form of Islam dominated Ottoman society?

Technologically, what attitudes kept the Ottomans behind the Europeans?

Significance of Battle of Lepanto?

Ottoman EmpireLand-Based “Gunpowder” Empires:

Ottomans, Safavids, Mughals- p. 306

The Safavid Empire strengthened the position of which form of Islam?

What was a main reason for conflict between Ottomans and Safavids?

How are these conflicts reflected in this region today?

Greatest Safavid ruler? His emphasis/strengths? (Also see excerpt on 313)

Couple reasons Safavids had less trade contact with Europeans?

Safavid culture centered around which local culture/traditions?

Example of distinctive Shi’ite/Persian architectural influence?

Roughly, how long did the Ottomans outlast the Safavids?

Safavid Empire

Which “empire” preceded Mughal control of the subcontinent?

What was always an obstacle to cohesive rule in India?

Founder of Mughal Empire?

In space on left, create an organizer illustrating “Akbar’s Reforms” - include religious reform from pg. 318

Highly-valued Indian commodity traded for by the Europeans?

Significance of the Taj Mahal?

In space on left, create an organizer illustrating “Women in Indian Society”

Prior to Mughal control, what new religion had developed in India? And the main motivations for creation of this religion?

Make a cultural comparison between the period ruled by Jahangir and Shah Jahan and that of 15th-16th century Italy.

Write a comprehensive thesis statement analyzing how Aurangzeb’s policies led to the British take-over of India.

Create a simple timeline identifying the rule of India between 2000 B.C.E. and 1750 C.E.

Mughal Empire