The Islamic Empires

1. The Islamic Empires

2. Before We Get Started • 3 Islamic empires were formed during the early modern period and you should concentrate on the Ottomans and Mughals more than the Safavids. • Don’t confuse the Mongols of Asia with the Mughals of India. • The earlier Mongols controlled a larger expanse of Asia, not including India; the later Mughals controlled only India. • Ottomans controlled Anatolia. • Safavids controlled Persia.

3. Formation of the Islamic Empires • All three Islamic states began as warrior societies in frontier regions. • They expanded into neighboring lands and as they grew, so did their administrative apparatuses. • With talented rulers, each society prospered and dominated its region politically, economically, and militarily.

4. Formation of the Islamic Empires • The Ottoman Empire • OsmanBey – Lead a Turkish-speaking group from central Asia into regions of Anatolia in the thirteenth century to form the beginnings of the Ottoman Empire. • Ottomans used their formidable military to expand and build their empire. • Eventually controlled the Balkans, Byzantine Empire, Syria, Egypt, modern-day Iraq, and Hungary. • Constantinople was renamed Istanbul • Enslaved Christians were forced into the military.

5. The Islamic Empires • The Safavid Empire • At their height, controlled the regions of Mesopotamia and the Caucuses. • Had constant conflict with the Ottomans • Adopted the TwelverShiism branch of Islam • Key Leaders • Ismail • Shah Abbas the Great

6. Formation of Islamic Empires • The Mughal Empire • Zahir al-Din Muhammad, a Chagatai Turk – known as Babur, “the tiger,” was the founder of the Mughals. • Claimed descent from Chingghis Khan and Tamarlane • Claimed no connection between conquest and religion, simply a conqueror • Mughal – Persian term for Mongol • Empire encompassed the Indian subcontinent, except for the southernmost tip. • Successive rulers (Akbar and Aurangzeb) • Taxed and persecuted Hindus in India, leading to further hostility between Hindus and Muslims.

7. Imperial Islamic Society • All Islamic dynasties descended from the same steppe traditions, embraced the same Islamic religion, and adopted similar economic and religious policies. • All involved themselves with public welfare, literature, and the arts.

8. Imperial Islamic Society • The dynastic state • The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal emperors all took personal control of their militaries and administrations • In theory, they owned all land which they divided among their peasant populations. • Experiences many problems in succession (just as the Mongols before them did) as potential heirs violently competed for rule • Women • Expected to have no role in public affairs of the Islamic empires due to religious constraints, but women in all 3 dynasties played significant roles. • Served as advisors, etc.

9. Imperial Islamic Society • Agriculture and Trade • Agriculture • Foundation of the Islamic empires was a strong agricultural base from which they could finance armies and bureaucracies. • Relied heavily on crops of rice and wheat to stabilize and grow populations • Trade • Prominent in world trade on both land and at sea. • Ottomans were the access point of the silk roads and controlled access to the Black Sea, and dominated the Eastern Mediterranean. • Mughals did not actively promote trade but gained large revenues from their central position in the Indian Ocean trade system.

10. Imperial Islamic Society • Religious Affairs in the Islamic Empires • Maintaining harmony among populations of diverse religions was a common challenge for the Islamic Empires. • Ottomans – Muslims, Christians, Jews • Safavids – Muslims, Christians, Jews • Mughals – Muslims and Hindus • Mughal policies of Aurangzeb caused permanent tension and conflict between Hindus and Muslims in India.

11. Imperial Islamic Society • Cultural Patronage of the Islamic Empires • Islamic emperors devoted much attention and resources to public welfare and the arts by building magnificent buildings, hospitals, and soup kitchens. • Placed high value on scholars and artists and undertook large building and architectural projects.

12. The Empires in Transition • None of the Islamic empires lasted past the eighteenth century without significant changes. • In 1722, the Safavids were completely defeated by Afghan tribesmen and disappeared completely • The Mughals suffered enormous reversals with provincial rebellions and foreign invasions. • Ottomans lost control over Egypt and Lebanon while Russian and European states chipped away at their economic, political, and military spheres.

13. The Empires in Transition • The Deterioration of Imperial Leadership • Islamic empires were heavily reliant on strong leadership and by the eighteenth century they had fallen into the hands of weak and incapable rulers. • Conservative Muslim movements caused constant internal disruptions • Economic and Military Decline • Decreased trade, and the cost of expensive administration, military maintenance, and war weakened the Islamic economies • Could not keep up with military technology • Cultural Conservatism • Muslim conservatism hampered exploration and technology. • While Europe surged forward, the Islamic empires grew backward and weak, much like the Chinese and Japanese. • Chose temporary stability over growth.