The Muslim Empires of the Early Modern World

The Muslim Empires of the Early Modern World

The Ottoman Empire

The Challenger to Christian Europe

Growing Power – Turks began as a nomadic people in Central Asia in the Middle Ages. – Conquer Anatolia (Turkey) in the late Middle Ages – Conquer Constantinople in 1453, ending the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. – Come to rule most of the eastern Mediterranean by the middle 1500’s.

Rulers • Sultan – Turkish political ruler (comparable to an emperor)

• Suleiman I – Great Law-giver of the Turks

• Grand Vizier – Prime minister who headed the bureaucracy for the sultan

• Janissaries – Elite corps of fighting men

The Ottoman Empire

Law – Established laws that tolerated non-Muslims. – Jews and Christians were allowed to practice their own religions. – Millets, or communities, took care of their own laws

Decline and Reform • In the 1700’s the Ottoman Empire’s power began to decline. – The Turks twice laid seige to Vienna (in 1529 and 1683) and were turned back. – They were defeated at sea by Spain at the Battle of Lepanto (1571) – As a result, Sultans began to incorporate European ideas into their government.

Safavid Persia The Shiite Islamic Empire

Shah Abbas – Looked for alliances with the West to fight the Ottomans – Spread Persian culture and ideas, diplomacy and trade – He established a lavish court in the city of Isfahan.

Nadar Shah • Expanded the Persian Empire to its greatest heights • After his assassination in 1747 the territory he conquered was lost and the empire was divided.

The Mogul (Mughal) Empire

Islamic Empire of India

Rulers • Muslim Monguls establish control over Northern India in the late 1300s. • Timur Lenk (Tamerlane) – Conquered central Asia and Northern India in the late 14th century

• Akbar – Brought peace to northern India – Recognized religious tolerance of Hindus

Mogul Civilization • Mogul Civilization – Lavish court centers of learning and the arts – Shan Jahan built the Taj Mahal

• Mogul Decline – Hindus and Sikhs rebel against Mogul authority, establishing independent kingdoms in the 17 century.