Ottoman Empire
Safavid Empire
Mughal Empire
POLITICAL
Leaders/groups
Forms of government
Empires
State building/expansion
Political structures
Courts/laws
Nationalism/nations
Revolts/revolutions
Turkic group called the Ottomans dominated other nomadic groups
Led by Osman
Built empire through Asia Minor and parts of Europe
Mehmed II conquered the Byzantine Empire
Extended the empire into Syria, Egypt, and North Africa (Arabs)
Janissaries helped choose sultans using military and political power.
Extensive bureaucracy
Grand vizier
Problems with corruption & bribery in decline
Monarchs not as prepared
Called “sick man of Europe” but lasted for 600 years
Force in European politics until the late 1800s
Challenged the Ottomans for leadership of the Islamic world
Sail al-Din began a militant campaign to purify and reform Islam and spread Muslim teachings among the Turkic tribes and the region.
Isma’il led Turkic followers to victory; proclaimed shah
Later shahs fought to bring Turkic chiefs under their control; became warrior nobility
Abbas the Great – made use of the youths who were captured in Russia (educated and converted them to Islam); became backbone of military forces
Extensive bureaucracy padishah Fear of succession of rulers led to violence & oppression
Confinement of rulers led to unprepared princes
Isfahan fell to the Afghanis; bloody struggle for power ensued; battle-ground for neighbors and nomadic raiders
Founders were displaced princes in search of a new kingdom
Babur struggled for control (he lost his original kingdom)
Akbar – one of the greatest leaders of all of history – had a vision of empire and mission to unite India under his rule.
Built a military and administrative system
Problems with corruption & ineffectiveness in the bureaucracy and military (and lack of funding for both) factored into the decline
Reversal of Akbar’s policies towards Hindus led to conflicts between Muslims and Hindus.
Civil conflict and internal