Gunpowder Empires

Question 1

Ottomans: where and when

Answer 1

Anatolia (1281-1922). Capital: Istanbul

Question 2

Ottoman source of strength: social structure

Answer 2

Privileging militarism:

• Janissaries (elite units) that trained from childhood
• Emphasis on military prowess and technology, especially gunpowder

Question 3

Ottoman source of strength: millet system

Answer 3

religious tolerance

• Jews and Christians were legally protected and given the right to self-govern

Question 4

Osman I

Answer 4

the conqueror of Turkey who founded the Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman dynasty that ruled Turkey after the 13th century

Question 5

Mehmed II

Answer 5

Ottoman sultan called the “Conqueror”; responsible for the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 (changed name to Istanbul); destroyed what remained of Byzantine Empire.

Question 6

Suleiman the Magnificent

Answer 6

Great Ottoman leader, expanded land area of Ottomans until 1529.

Question 7

Conquest of Constantinople

Answer 7

1453, Ottomans took over Byzantine trade routes, and renamed the city Istanbul

Question 8

Ottoman resistance against Napoleon in Egypt

Answer 8

1798, showed Ottoman capability to take on European powers

Question 9

Vizier

Answer 9

A high-ranking official in the Ottoman government who served as the chief advisor to the sultan and oversaw various administrative functions.

Question 10

Millets

Answer 10

Autonomous religious communities within the Ottoman Empire, each governed by its religious laws and leaders.

Question 11

Gazis

Answer 11

Tight and powerful raiding bands of the Turks that helped to develop the early empire and challenge the Byzantines.

Question 12

Safavids: where and when

Answer 12

Persia (13th c. - 1722). Capital Isfahan

Question 13

Safavid source of strength: religious unity

Answer 13

Success in making Shiite Islam the state religion of Iran, helped stabilize the empire.

Question 14

Safavid source of strength: military

Answer 14

Expansion westward into Syria and Anatolia, recapture of Baghdad from Ottomans (1603)

Question 15

Shaykh Safi al-Din

Answer 15

founded the Sufi Safiyya religious order in Iran.

Question 16

Ismael I

Answer 16

ultimately founded the Safavid empire, Declared Shiite Islam as the state religion, expanded Safavid territories, consolidated power, competed against Sunni Ottomans

Question 17

Shah Abbas I

Answer 17

Ruler during the height of Safavid power, reorganized military like a European one, Recaptured Baghdad, and oversaw cultural flourishing of the capital

Question 18

Mughals: where and When

Answer 18

India, ended 1722

Question 19

Mughal source of strength: cultural synthesis

Answer 19

Mix of Persian and Indian culture, Islam as a unifying force, promotion of religious tolerance

Question 20

Mughal source of strength: military

Answer 20

gunpowder, forts built to consolidate and expand territorial control, conquest down through India

Question 21

Mughal source of strength: administrative innovation

Answer 21

Incorporation of Hindus into the bureaucracy, establishment of a large bureaucracy used to manage territories, Akbar’s efforts to promote an image of religious toleration

Question 22

Babur

Answer 22

Founder of the Mughal Empire, originated from Central Asia

Question 23

Akbar the great

Answer 23

known for religious tolerance and administrative reforms. grandson of Babur who created a strong central government.

• promoted the arts
• cultural flourishing
• expanded Mughal territories

Question 24

Shah Jahan

Answer 24

Mogul emperor of India during whose reign the finest monuments of Mogul architecture were built (including the Taj Mahal at Agra) (1592-1666)

• ruled during a period of cultural and artistic achievements

Question 25

Aurangzeb

Answer 25

Ruled with more orthodox approach, imposing strict Islamic policies and taxes on non-Muslims. Had territorial expansion but faced financial difficulties.

Question 26

Taj Mahal

Answer 26

A mausoleum was built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal

Question 27

Mir Sayyid Ali

Answer 27

Ismael I kicks him out of the Safavid Empire for being too radical
Goes to teach in India
Influences Indian art, explains why the two cultures have very similar styles