Gunpowder Empires Flashcards
Ottomans: where and when
Anatolia (1281-1922). Capital: Istanbul
Ottoman source of strength: social structure
Privileging militarism:
- Janissaries (elite units) that trained from childhood
- Emphasis on military prowess and technology, especially gunpowder
Ottoman source of strength: millet system
religious tolerance
- Jews and Christians were legally protected and given the right to self-govern
Osman I
the conqueror of Turkey who founded the Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman dynasty that ruled Turkey after the 13th century
Mehmed II
Ottoman sultan called the “Conqueror”; responsible for the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 (changed name to Istanbul); destroyed what remained of Byzantine Empire.
Suleiman the Magnificent
Great Ottoman leader, expanded land area of Ottomans until 1529.
Conquest of Constantinople
1453, Ottomans took over Byzantine trade routes, and renamed the city Istanbul
Ottoman resistance against Napoleon in Egypt
1798, showed Ottoman capability to take on European powers
Vizier
A high-ranking official in the Ottoman government who served as the chief advisor to the sultan and oversaw various administrative functions.
Millets
Autonomous religious communities within the Ottoman Empire, each governed by its religious laws and leaders.
Gazis
Tight and powerful raiding bands of the Turks that helped to develop the early empire and challenge the Byzantines.
Safavids: where and when
Persia (13th c. - 1722). Capital Isfahan
Safavid source of strength: religious unity
Success in making Shiite Islam the state religion of Iran, helped stabilize the empire.
Safavid source of strength: military
Expansion westward into Syria and Anatolia, recapture of Baghdad from Ottomans (1603)
Shaykh Safi al-Din
founded the Sufi Safiyya religious order in Iran.
Ismael I
ultimately founded the Safavid empire, Declared Shiite Islam as the state religion, expanded Safavid territories, consolidated power, competed against Sunni Ottomans
Shah Abbas I
Ruler during the height of Safavid power, reorganized military like a European one, Recaptured Baghdad, and oversaw cultural flourishing of the capital
Mughals: where and When
India, ended 1722
Mughal source of strength: cultural synthesis
Mix of Persian and Indian culture, Islam as a unifying force, promotion of religious tolerance
Mughal source of strength: military
gunpowder, forts built to consolidate and expand territorial control, conquest down through India
Mughal source of strength: administrative innovation
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
Babur
Founder of the Mughal Empire, originated from Central Asia
Akbar the great
known for religious tolerance and administrative reforms. grandson of Babur who created a strong central government.
- promoted the arts
- cultural flourishing
- expanded Mughal territories
Shah Jahan
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