The Islamic Empires

The Ottomans, Safavids, & Mughals

All three Islamic empires of early modern times had Turkish ruling dynasties. The Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals came from nomadic, Turkish-speaking peoples of central Asia who conquered the settled agricultural lands of Anatolia, Persia, and India, respectively.

All three dynasties retained political and cultural traditions that their ancestors had adopted while leading nomadic lives on the steppes, but they also adapted readily to the city-based agricultural societies that they conquered.

About the mid-seventeenth century, however, they all began to weakenby the mid-eighteenth century the Safavid empire had collapsed, and the Ottoman and Mughal realms were rapidly falling under European influence.

Ottoman Empire
1289 - 1923 Military Expansion:
Osman & ghazi Light cavalry & volunteer infantry Devshirme & Janissaries Mehmed II conquers Istanbul Suleyman the Magnificient
Demonstrates naval power

The Ghazi is the instrument of the religion of Allah, a servant of God who purifies the earth from the filth of polytheism; the Ghazi is the sword of God, he is the protector and the refuge of the believers. If he becomes a martyr in the ways of God, do not believe that he has died--he lives in beatitude with Allah, he has eternal life.

Safavid Empire
1501 - 1722 Founded by Shah Ismail Twelver Shiism:
Twelve infallible imams (religious leaders); last imam would one day return to rule Qizilbash (red heads)

Defeat at Battle of Chaldiran:

Ottomans rely on firearms; Safavids refused

Empire revitalized by Shah Abbas the Great

1588 - 1629

Mughal Empire
1526 - 1858 Babur conquers Northern India Akbar (1556 - 1605)
Architect of Mughal Empire Centralized administration Conquered Kingodm of Vijayanagar Muslim background, though tolerant of Hinduism
Sikhism & Divine Faith

Aurangzeb (1659 - 1707)

Reigned during height of empire Persecuted Hindus

Despite many differences, there were striking similarities in the development of Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal societies. All relied on bureaucracies that drew inspiration from steppe traditions of Turkish and Mongol peoples as well as from the heritage of Islam. They adopted similar economic policies and sought ways to maintain harmony in societies that embraced many different religious and ethnic groups. Rulers of all empires also sought to enhance the legitimacy of their regimes by providing for public welfare and associated themselves with literary and artistic talent.

Emperors & the State

Emperor exerted absolute power Devotion to Islam fueled expansions
Jihad

Steppe traditions lead to succession problems Entirely patriarchal, yet royal women enjoyed privilege & authority

Agriculture & Trade

Introduction of Columbian Exchange lacked dramatic effect Popular Imports:
Coffee, Sugar, Tobacco

Popularity of coffeehouses All populations slowly increased Participated in global trade networks
Mughals less concerned with trade than others

Religious Affairs
Religiously diverse, yet dominated by Islam
Did not require conversion
Dhimmi Jizya Millet

Only Muslims held powerful political posts Devout Muslims feared tolerant policies
Mughal India
Hindu & Muslim tensions

Cultural Development
Public works projects & scholarly development = Enhanced prestige
Ottomans = Suleymaniye mosque Mughals = Fatehpur Sikri & Taj Mahal Safavids = Isfahan

The Islamic empires underwent dramatic change between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. The Safavid empire disappeared entirelyMughal India experienced provincial rebellions and foreign invasions. By the mid-1700s it was falling under British imperial ruleEuropean and Russian states placed political, military, and economic pressure on the shrinking Ottoman realm during the 1700 & 1800s.

Political Decline
Incompetent rulers & succession problems leads to:
Political corruption Economic instability Religious tensions Mutiny of military

Economic & Military Decline

Economics:
Europeans come to dominate trade Military & bureaucracy expenses swell

Military:
Economic issues hinder technological development Neglected to keep pace with European technology

Cultural Decline
Cultural superiority
Failed to learn from others Distrusted foreign influence Significance of printing press

The Islamic empires resisted the introduction of cultural influences from western European societiesunder the influence of conservative religious leaders, Islamic authorities actively discouraged the circulation of ideas that might pose unsettling challenges to the social and cultural order of the Islamic empires. Like the Ming, Qing, and Tokugawa rulers, the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal emperors preferred political and social stability to the risks that foreign cultural innovations might bring.