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The Rise of Islamic Empires in the Middle East, Europe, and India. Readings: Smith, 488-494, 620-639, 647-659. The Rise of The Ottoman Empire. Ottomans Controlled Most of Turkey and the Balkans by 1389.
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The Rise of Islamic Empires in the Middle East, Europe, and India Readings: Smith, 488-494, 620-639, 647-659
Ottomans Controlled Most of Turkey and the Balkans by 1389 • Prior to 1453 – Mehmed II constructed fortress of Rumelyi to control access to Black Sea from the Bospherus
Conquest of Constantinople • In 15th Century Ottomans moved broadly against Europe, Persia, and Egypt. • April 6-May 29 1453 They besieged and conquered Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, under Sultan Mehmed II, which ended the Byzantine Empire • Benefitted from Hungarian engineer Urban’s bombards or cannons • Used rich iron ore and copper from Hungary
Constantinople becomes Istanbul • Churches like Haghia Sophia were transformed into mosques, though many Christian features remain.
Turks • Turks faced hostile populations of Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, some Muslims. • The Turks allowed everyone to practice whatever religion they wanted as long as they paid taxes at first but gradually persecuted Christians and drove many out of the country • Managed vast, culturally diverse empire through the Janissary Army and Civil Service.
Mehmed II: “the ruler of the two seas and the two continents” • Janissaries - Took Christian boys and made them slaves • Under Mehmed II - By 16th century they had control of Mediterranean and Black Seas—fought with Portugal over control of Indian Ocean- • Mehmed aimed to recreate Byzantine Empire as an Islamic state – attempted to rely heavily on Italian culture and fashion • One of main industries: carpet-making
Suleiman the Magnificent • Joined royal and religious law. • He had many challenges • Mostly from Eastern Turkey, the Safavid Empire (the Persians)
How Did Ottomans Exercise Power? • Center of Power – in Istanbul—the Topkapi Saray • A fortress, sanctuary, and shrine • Laid out by Mehmed II • Outer walls and inner walls with Inner palace in deep interior—palace housed treasury, a library, and the sultan’s pavilion • Inner court closed to all but state officials – visitors confined to outer court • Around the edges, secret hideaway spots for the Sultan’s harem
Ottoman Power • Topkapi Palace housed 10 mosques, 14 bathhouses, 2 hospitals, 2,000 (800) women and 4,000 horses • Sultan housed in sacred spaces with relics of the prophet Muhammad – controlled the institutions and sacred places related to Sunni Islam • Externally—law code, tolerance, military power, still profited from spice trade, tribute from Europeans • Internally—palace often ruled by eunuchs and concubines, as well as sultan’s mother, but more rational than many Europeans believed
Safavid Empire • Shaped by Persians (1501-1773), more a state than an empire, but had imperial ambitions • Like Ottomans, benefitted from trade across Eurasia • Ruled through a hereditary class of fighters – the Qizilbash
Shah Abbas • Expanded the Safavid Empire from 1588-1629 • Created capital at Isfahan • Won gains in the caucuses and central Asia, expelled the Portuguese from Hormuz • Insisted that everyone practice Shi’ite version of Islam – left no room for religious pluralism – even though most people they governed not originally Shi’ites
The Mughal Empire • Babur started to conquerIndia in 1523 and took Delhi in 1526. • Mughal was the Indian word for Mongols • Babur and his followers didn’t like India because of the caste system and religion • Humayun
Legacy of Humayun (1508-1556) • Faced many obstacles-mostly from brothers • Consolidated Rule • Interested in Science and Astrology • Died falling down stairs from library carrying books • Picture—Humayun with Babur
Akbar – Humayun’s Son (1556-1605) • Was one of the great leaders of India. • He couldn’t read; there is a chance he was dyslexic • He had others read to him so he could learn. • Married daughters of Rajputs (800 wives) • He encouraged art and architecture. • Good fighter but believed in diplomacy – picture with Jesuits at court • Tolerated and encouraged toleration of Hindus
Jahangir (1569-1627 • Ruled from 1605-1627 after father-Akbar-died • Very well educated, spoke 4 languages • He had little interest in India • Emphasized Sunni Islam • He married a Persian – Nur Jahan and let her run the country – she had been a widow in his court • More interested in drinking and smoking opium than ruling
Nur Jahan – Power Behind the Throne • Persian – gave positions in government to all her male relatives • Tough ruler • Good businesswoman–encouraged trade and industry-manufactured perfume, cosmetics • Owned ships she used for commercial endeavors • Wrote poetry under the name Makhifi
Shah Jahan • Jahangir’s son • Basically imprisoned Nur Jahan until she died (she had backed his brother) • He ruled from 1628-1657. • Built the Peacock throne and the Taj Majal. • Built the Taj Majal as a monument to his wife when she died in childbirth in 1631.
Rebellion of Aurangzeb • Defeats Father - Shah Jahan in 1658 and becomes emperor. • Ruled until 1707. • He actively tries to conquer all of India and got most of it except the South.
Rule of Aurangzib • Aurangzib was an ardent Muslim and he prohibited the Hindu religion and destroyed the Hindu temples. • In 1679 he imposed a special tax on non-Muslims and created an Islamic moral police that tried to enforce orthodoxy. • He also required all women to marry • By his death there was much turmoil.
A summary of these empires • Though these were powerful empires why did they decline? • One reason was they spent a lot of money fighting wars • Spent enormous sums on monumental architecture to display power • Power – Superficially external visible – Real power Hidden in inner quarters • Worked well when tolerant – mostly not • Resisted new developments in western technology and science • Saw trade very differently from Europeans.
