Post on 11-Dec-2015
Safavid & Mogul Empires
“The Gunpowder Empires”
1450-1800
Jan 2014
For which achievement is Suleiman the Magnificent best known?
(1) building the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem(2) spreading Christianity into the Balkan Peninsula(3) conquering the Russian capital of Moscow(4) uniting the Ottoman Empire under an efficient government structure
Safavid EmpireIran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Wac0fyrfu_8&scrlybrkr=da5413db
The Rule of the Safavids
►16th C: take control of area extending from Persia into central Asia (Iran)
►Founded by Shah Ismail
►Continual struggle between the Safavids and the Ottomans (north) until the 1580s
Political and Social Structures
►Mixed Society: Combination of Turkish and Persian elements
►Political System
Shah
Bureaucracy and landed classes
Common People
The Role of the Shah
►Safavid ruler►Supported by the Shiites
Direct successor of the prophet Muhammad – Shiism = state religion
►Available to subjects ►Firmly controlled the power of the
landed aristocracy ►Appointment to the bureaucracy was
based on merit rather than birth (meritocracy)
Safavid Culture
►Knowledge of science, math, and medicine
►Arts flourished Palaces Mosques
►Silk weaving ►Carpet weaving:
became highly prized
►Painting Soft colors and
flowing movement
Ottoman and Safavid Empires
Ottoman Empire
Safavid EmpireArose in the 14th C
Expanded from northwest Anatolian
Peninsula to Western Asia, eastern Europe,
and North Africa
Attempted to conquer central Europe
Sunni Muslims
Ruler: Sultan
Was generally tolerant of non-Muslims in
empire
Began slow decline in the 17th C
Conquered surrounding
territory
Strong military used latest weapons
Muslims
Political and religious ruler
inherited position and owned all
land
Mixed ethnicities and religions in
society
Encouraged trade and arts
Arose in the early 16th C
Controlled areas from Persia into central Asia; lost territory to Ottomans
Allied with European states against Ottomans
Shiite Muslims
Ruler: Shah
Used Shiite faith to unify peoples in empire
Collapsed in 1723
Mughal EmpireIndia
The Mughal Dynasty
► Founder: Babur - Descendant of Genghis
Khan► Reunited kingdoms on
the Indian subcontinent (1530s)
The Reign of Akbar
►By 1605 – brought Mughal rule to most of India Used heavy artillery Successful negotiators
►Collection of semi-independent states held together by the power of the emperor
►Best known for the humane character of his rule Religious tolerance Tolerant in administration of government
►Period of peace and prosperity
January 2014
One similarity in the rule of Akbar the Great and the rule of Elizabeth I is that both leadersimplemented policies that encouraged
(1) compulsory education(2) military disarmament (3) voter participation(4) religious toleration
August 2013
One way in which Akbar the Great, Suleiman the Magnificent, and Philip II are similar is that they(1) attempted to colonize the Americas (2) supported democratic reforms in their countries(3) tried to make Christianity the dominant religion of Asia(4) controlled large empires at the height of their power
June 2013
Which form of government is associated with the reigns of Suleiman the Magnificent, Akbar the Great, and Peter the Great?
(1) constitutional monarchy(2) direct democracy(3) theocracy(4) absolute monarchy
Decline of the Mughals
► 1658: Aurangzeb crowned emperor Man of high principle = attempt to eliminate
many of what he considered to be India’s social evils ►Forbade Hindu custom of suttee ►Forbade levying of illegal taxes ►Tried to forbid drinking and gambling as well
Devout Muslim = adopted a number of measures that reversed the Mogul policies of religious tolerance
domestic upheaval and revolts
1739: Delhi sacked by Persians
The British in India
►Arrival of the British hastened the decline of the Mughals British East India Company: under
direction of Sir Robert Clive - - empowered to act on any threat to the company
Mughal Culture
► Persian and Indian influences Taj Mahal
►Built by Agra in the mid-17th C in memory of his wife
►Financed by raising land taxes = many peasants into poverty
►Considered most beautiful building in India, if not the entire world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7yNMyLcL2U&list=TLWQZc1j2_Ij62qAcsPDMjzks9C4J_JwPc&scrlybrkr=da5413db
Mughal Culture
►Persian and Indian influences Paintings
►Akbar established a state workshop for artists: “Akbar style” – portrayal of humans in action, use of perspective, and lifelike portraits
►Dedicated patron of arts It is said that the Moguls would reward a
poet with his weight in gold.
Mogul Rulers
Ruler Accomplishment
Weakness
Babur Established Mogul dynasty
Small forces
Akbar Extended rule throughout India
Ruled young
Jahangir Strengthened central control of government
Allowed wife to enrich her family
Shah Jahan Expanded boundaries
Strained treasury
Aurangzeb Prohibited suttee, illegal taxes, drinking, gambling
Created internal unrest