Islamic Empires

Question 1

Osman

Answer 1

Founder of the Ottoman empire, was bey (chief) of seminomadic Turks in Anatolia, he and
followers sought to become Ghazi.

Question 2

Ghazi

Answer 2

Muslim religious warriors, servants of God who “purified Earth from polytheism,” were “protectors.” Had cavalry and slave force, led Ottoman expansion

Question 3

Janissaries

Answer 3

(Yeni cheri) Warriors, gained reputation for loyalty, learned Islam and Turkish. Christian boys from Balkans, fed into devshirme, entered administration or military

Question 4

Mehmed the Conqueror

Answer 4

Captured Istanbul, stimulated commercial growth. Set up centralized govenrment and absolute monarchy. Expanded to Serbia, Rome, and Med basin.

Question 5

Suleyman the Magnificent

Answer 5

Climax of Ottoman expansion, conquered Baghdad, Belgrade, Hungary, Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Large navy challenged Christian and Portuguese vessels.

Question 6

Shah Ismail

Answer 6

Twelve year old boy, claimed shah title in Tabriz. Controlled Iranian plateau, imposed Twelver Shiism on Sunni population. Also launched expeditions into Caucasus, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and central Asia.

Question 7

Twelver Shiism

Answer 7

Official Safavid religion, believed in twelve infallible imams (religious leaders), beginning with Ali. Twelfth imam went into hiding, would return one day. Qizilbash were devout followers.

Question 8

Shah Abbas the Great

Answer 8

After battle of Chaldiran (Sunni Ottomans fought Shia Safavids) encouraged trade, moved capital to Isfahan, used Persian administration, reformed military w/ slaves and gunpowder weapons. Conquered NW Iran, the Caucasus, and Mesopotamia.

Question 9

Babur

Answer 9

“Tiger,” Turk from N India, sought to build large central Asian empire, failed. Moved toward India, w/ gunpowder weapons built loose empire, cared little for land. Established the Mughal (Persian for Mongol) dynasty.

Question 10

Akbar

Answer 10

Grandson of Babur, real architect of Mughal empire. Did not tolerate any challenges, centralized administration with ministries, conquered Vijayanagar. Supported religious tolerance w/ divine faith.

Question 11

Aurangzeb

Answer 11

Ruled during height of Mughal empire, took entire subcontinent, did not tolerate Hinduism: Reinstated jizya, destroyed temples- Hostility

Question 12

Steppe succession

Answer 12

Relatives of the ruler fought over the imperial crown, Sultans killed off relatives or confined them in their homes.

Question 13

Women in politics

Answer 13

Genghis Khan revered his wife, rulers’ wives and concubines had special privileges, sometimes relied on for gov’t. Suleyman had a concubine- made legal/gov’t decisions. Shah Jahan: Devoted, Taj Mahal

Question 14

Coffeehouses

Answer 14

“Dens of iniquity” for smoking and coffee- both considered immoral and corruptive. Prominent social institution depsite effort to outlaw

Question 15

How did Islamic rulers handle religious diversity?

Answer 15

Akbar supported Sikhism (Syncretic) and own divine faith, welcomed christian mission in Goa.

Question 16

dhimmi/jizya/millet

Answer 16

Dhimmi: Non- Muslim protected peoples
Jizya: Tax paid by Dhimmi in exchange for freedom
Millet: Autonomous communities with own laws, religion, and language

Question 17

How did rulers enhance their prestige?

Answer 17

Patronized artists in courts, supported public works projects. Example: In Isfahan- large roads, bridges, open spaces. Also Topkapi palace in Istanbul

Question 18

Sulemainye

Answer 18

Massive mosque planned by Suleyman and Sinan Pasha

Question 19

Taj Mahal

Answer 19

Massive tomb and mosque built by Shah Jahan for his wife- Islamic and Byzantine arch. w/ minarets, domes, intricate inlay work, on riverbank- foundation.

Question 20

Hagia Sophia

Answer 20

Planned by Justinian- wanted to place dome over rectangle, arch construction w/ earthquakes, converted to a mosque- Islamic minarets and mosaics added

Question 21

Religious conflict

Answer 21

Conservatives objected to emperors’ interest in Sufism, astronomy, and the printing press. In Mughal India, religious intolerance led to hostility between groups.

Question 22

Economic conflict

Answer 22

Dynasties continued costly expansion and administration but had no gains- bribes, tax hikes, extortion used to make money. Also- no rulers made attempts to build trading posts.

Question 23

Janissary revolts

Answer 23

Warriors revolted when rulers tried to pay them with worthless currency

Question 24

Military conflict

Answer 24

Did not seek to improve weapons technology or build new ships; relied on foreign countries instead.

Question 25

Muslim attitude toward Western Civilizations

Answer 25

Superior, oblivious to cultural, tech. innovation, believed that innovation would destabilize society. Insularity caused damage, though