Islamic Empires Flashcards
Osman
Founder of the Ottoman empire, was bey (chief) of seminomadic Turks in Anatolia, he and
followers sought to become Ghazi.
Ghazi
Muslim religious warriors, servants of God who “purified Earth from polytheism,” were “protectors.” Had cavalry and slave force, led Ottoman expansion
Janissaries
(Yeni cheri) Warriors, gained reputation for loyalty, learned Islam and Turkish. Christian boys from Balkans, fed into devshirme, entered administration or military
Mehmed the Conqueror
Captured Istanbul, stimulated commercial growth. Set up centralized govenrment and absolute monarchy. Expanded to Serbia, Rome, and Med basin.
Suleyman the Magnificent
Climax of Ottoman expansion, conquered Baghdad, Belgrade, Hungary, Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Large navy challenged Christian and Portuguese vessels.
Shah Ismail
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.
Twelver Shiism
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.
Shah Abbas the Great
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.
Babur
“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.
Akbar
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.
Aurangzeb
Ruled during height of Mughal empire, took entire subcontinent, did not tolerate Hinduism: Reinstated jizya, destroyed temples- Hostility
Steppe succession
Relatives of the ruler fought over the imperial crown, Sultans killed off relatives or confined them in their homes.
Women in politics
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
Coffeehouses
“Dens of iniquity” for smoking and coffee- both considered immoral and corruptive. Prominent social institution depsite effort to outlaw
How did Islamic rulers handle religious diversity?
Akbar supported Sikhism (Syncretic) and own divine faith, welcomed christian mission in Goa.
dhimmi/jizya/millet
Dhimmi: Non- Muslim protected peoples
Jizya: Tax paid by Dhimmi in exchange for freedom
Millet: Autonomous communities with own laws, religion, and language
How did rulers enhance their prestige?
Patronized artists in courts, supported public works projects. Example: In Isfahan- large roads, bridges, open spaces. Also Topkapi palace in Istanbul
Sulemainye
Massive mosque planned by Suleyman and Sinan Pasha
Taj Mahal
Massive tomb and mosque built by Shah Jahan for his wife- Islamic and Byzantine arch. w/ minarets, domes, intricate inlay work, on riverbank- foundation.
Hagia Sophia
Planned by Justinian- wanted to place dome over rectangle, arch construction w/ earthquakes, converted to a mosque- Islamic minarets and mosaics added
Religious conflict
Conservatives objected to emperors’ interest in Sufism, astronomy, and the printing press. In Mughal India, religious intolerance led to hostility between groups.
Economic conflict
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.
Janissary revolts
Warriors revolted when rulers tried to pay them with worthless currency
Military conflict
Did not seek to improve weapons technology or build new ships; relied on foreign countries instead.
