Chapter 15: Empires in South and Southwest Asia- Vocab

Question 1

Akbar

Answer 1

1542–1605 C.E. The third Mughal emperor who ruled from 1556–1605 and was known for his religious tolerance.

Question 2

Aurangzeb

Answer 2

1618–1707 C.E. The sixth Mughal emperor, who ruled for forty-nine years over almost all of the Indian subcontinent.

Question 3

Babur

Answer 3

1483–1530 C.E. Central Asian descendant of Chinggis Khan and Tamerlane who founded the Mughal dynasty in northern India in 1526.

Question 4

(battle of) Chaldiran

Answer 4

A battle in 1514 where the Ottomans (with a technological/military advantage) fought the Safavids, who suffered greatly and had their capital at Tabriz temporarily occupied. However, the Ottomans couldn’t destroy the state, and the two empires remained in conflicct for the next 200 years.

Question 5

Devshirme

Answer 5

Ottoman requirement that the Christians in the Balkans provide young boys to be slaves of the sultan.

Question 6

Dhimmi

Answer 6

Islamic concept of a protected people that was symbolic of Islamic toleration during the Mughal and Ottoman empires.

Question 7

Fatehpur Sikri

Answer 7

The capital of the Mughal Empire from 1569 to 1585 (deserted due to poor water supply). It was built by Akbar, commemorating his conquest of Gujarat, and had a mint, records office, treasury, audience hall, and private retreat for the ruler.

Question 8

Isfahan

Answer 8

Capital city of the Safavid Empire (modern Iran), founded by Shah Abbas in the early seventeenth century.

Question 8

Ghazi

Answer 8

Islamic religious warrior.

Question 9

Ismail

Answer 9

Reigned 1501–1524. Founder of the Safavid dynasty in modern Iran.

Question 10

Istanbul

Answer 10

The capital of the Ottoman Empire, a bustling and prosperous city with the Topkapi palace.

Question 11

Jahangir

Answer 11

A Mughal emperor who let his wife Nur Jahan run the government.

Question 12

Janissaries

Answer 12

Highly respected, elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire, who formed the first modern standing army in Europe. Jati Indian word for a Hindu subcaste.

Question 13

Jizya

Answer 13

Tax in Islamic empires that was imposed on non-Muslims.

Question 14

Kanun

Answer 14

Laws issued by the Ottoman Süleyman the Magnificent, also known as Süleyman Kanuni, “the Lawgiver.”

Question 15

Mehmed the Conqueror

Answer 15

Ottoman ruler from 1451 to 1481 who captured Constantinople in 1453. He presented himself as a warrior-sultan and true emperor of Europe and Asia. He had a centralized monarchy and expanded the territory of the Empire.

Question 16

Millet

Answer 16

An autonomous, self-governing community in the Ottoman empire.

Question 17

Mughal Empire

Answer 17

Islamic dynasty that ruled India from the sixteenth through the eighteenth century; the construction of the Taj Mahal is representative of their splendor; with the exception of the enlightened reign of Akbar, the increasing conflict between Hindus and Muslims was another of their legacies.

Question 18

Mumtaz Mahal

Question 19

Osman Bey

Answer 19

1258–1326 c.e. Also known as Osman Gazi. Founder of the Ottoman dynasty and the Ottoman state.

Question 20

Ottoman Empire

Answer 20

Powerful Turkish empire that lasted from the conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 until 1918 and reached its peak during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566).

Question 21

Qizilbash

Answer 21

Term meaning “red heads,” Turkish tribes that were important allies of Shah Ismail in the formation of the Safavid empire.

Question 22

Safavid Empire

Answer 22

Later Persian empire (1501–1722) that was founded by Shah Ismail and that became a center for Shiism; the empire reached its peak under Shah Abbas the Great and was centered on the capital of Isfahan.

Question 23

Shah Abbas the Great

Answer 23

1571–1629 C.E. Fifth Safavid Shah of Iran who is generally considered the strongest of the Safavid rulers.

Question 24

Shah Jahan

Answer 24

The Mughal emperor who constructed the Taj Mahal for his wife.

Question 25

Shaykh Salim Chishti

Answer 25

the Sufi guru of Akbar, had a mausoleum built for him at Fatehpur Sikri.

Question 26

Shiism

Answer 26

Branch of Islam that stressed that there were twelve perfect religious leaders after Muhammad and that the twelfth went into hiding and would return someday; Shah Ismail spread this variety through the Safavid empire.

Question 27

Sinan Pasha

Answer 27

Ottoman architect who created the Sülemaniye mosque that blended Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements.

Question 28

Sufis

Answer 28

Islamic mystics who placed more emphasis on emotion and devotion than on strict adherence to rules.

Question 29

Süleyman the Magnificent

Answer 29

Ottoman Turkish ruler Süleyman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566), who was the most powerful and wealthy ruler of the sixteenth century.

Question 30

Süleymaniye

Answer 30

Ottoman Turkish ruler Süleyman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566), who was the most powerful and wealthy ruler of the sixteenth century.

Question 31

Sunni

Answer 31

“Traditionalists,” the most popular branch of Islam; Sunnis believe in the legitimacy of the early caliphs, compared with the Shiite belief that only a descendant of Ali can lead.

Question 32

Taj Mahal

Answer 32

The elaborate mausoleum built by 20,000 workers for 18 years from Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Question 33

Topkapi Palace

Answer 33

A palace at the center of Ottoman Istanbul with government offices, meeting places for imperial councils, and the sultans residence.

Question 34

Twelver Shiism

Answer 34

Branch of Islam that stressed that there were twelve perfect religious leaders after Muhammad and that the twelfth went into hiding and would return someday; Shah Ismail spread this variety through the Safavid empire.

Question 35

Wahhabi movement

Answer 35

A revolt in Arabia where disaffected religious students denounded the Ottoman rulers as dangerous religious innovators.