Dbq Islamic Empires

The Islamic empire were undoubtedly affected by the gradual shift towards trade routes that bypassed their lands. For the most part the effects were negative that led to a decline in wealth as well as prestige of these Islamic empires. Conversely the new trade routes did allow agriculture to benefit because there was a spread of new crops. Similarly, merchants in the Islamic Empire contrived new was to take advantage of the new bustling European trade. Furthermore, two factors were instrumental in diminishing the preeminence of the Islamic Empires. These factors include European rivalry for trade in the Indian ocean, the amount of presence Britain had in India. Additionally, ingenuity on the part of the Islamic merchants did lead to some albeit small benefits to the Islamic empires. With attention to each of these factors in a more thorough fashion we can see both the negative positive effects that gradual shift towards bypassing trade routes had on these Islamic empires.

First, let us examine how European rivalry for trade in the Indian ocean affected the Islamic empires.
Starting with the Portuguese establishment in the port of Goa that resided on the west coast of India. In Fact, Goa served as a headquarters that allowed for aggressive expansion that would eventually take control of Muslim shipping in the Arabian Sea as well as the Indian Ocean. Consequently, the Portuguese charging exorbitant taxes to allow ships through. Which in effect, led to the Portuguese controlling the spice trade in the Indian Ocean. Likewise, the Dutch and the British enticed by the lucrative profits decided to stake their claim to the subcontinent. In particular, the British through the use of civil aid, and monetary inducements were able to convince Indian rulers to be able to set/up coastal fort/ trading forts. These factory forts made vast amounts of money from Indian and Chinese goods. Correspondingly, the shift in trade routes allowed Europeans to bypass The Islamic Empire which, obviously did not benefit them.

With the British establishing a solid base of operations via the factory forts Britain’s influence within India would only progressively grow. As a result, of political unrest in India, Britain’s Factory forts were poised to take center stage in the form of defensive garrison. Due to Warlords or uprisings people flocked to these defensive installations and became manned by native soldiers proficient in western weapons. Therefore, these installations came to wield a great deal of power and political authority over there surrounding territories. Eventually, the global conflict known as the Seven Year War would pit Britain and France against each other which would have lasting implications for India. By the time peace was reached with the 1763 Treaty of Paris Britain would be recognized as having copious control of India. This would mark the start of the British Empire in India. In order to control such an expansive terrirtory the office of the governor general was created by parliament. The express purpose of this office was to exercise political authority. Of note, was the governor general Hastings who requisitioned help from Indian princes; and laid the rudimentary ground work for India’s first civil service. Together with, abolishing tolls, codification of Hindu and Muslim laws brought reform by transforming Mughal personnel into English style landlords. This new system paid dividends because tenant farmers supported the landlords.

Lastly we look at the positive benefits garnered from the fusillade of new trade networks.
For example, India trade was greatly augmented by European trade which, in effect helped India’s merchants and by extension India’s economy. So much so, that many Indian merchants amassed massive fortunes. The way in which they grew in wealth was through a method called the “domestic” system which would later be adopted by the English. To further emphasize how much trade in India had exploded, Akbar was compelled to launch wide scale road building in order to easier facilitate trade. Similarly, the Armenian merchants of the Safavid Empire greatly benefited form European trade. In particular, was their trade of Persian silk which, was highly sought after. In fact, the Armenian merchants were so adept at long distance trade they were able to auspiciously operate in European dominated
cities.

As we have seen the trade routes that bypassed the Islamic Empires lands had both negative and some positive effects on them. Expressly, the factors of European rivalry for trade in the Indian Ocean and the expanded presence of the British in India were responsible for negative impacts on the Islamic Empires. However, the bustling trade brought on by the Europeans did have some beneficial impact, namely in fecund resourcefulness of the merchants in those areas. Without a doubt these new trade routes would forever change the status quo in the world and I would venture to say it was decisive factor in the diminishment of the Islamic Empires.