The Islamic Gunpowder Empires 1500-1800 Global Interdependence and Exchange

Trio of Empires Ottoman Empire (1289-1918) Safavid Empire (1501-1722) Mughal Empire (1523-1739)

Islam Central to nation-state expansion Religion, culture & civilization Quran – Holy book. Revelations given to Mohammed. Sharia – Totality of political, religious, social and private life.

Ottoman Empire 1298-1918 First of the three Reached its peak in 1600 Survived through WWI Present day Turkey

Ottoman – Beginnings Grew from remnants of Turkic peoples after fall of Mongol Rule Ghazi Warriors Osman Bey Gazi warriors – sacred duty to extend faith.

Empire Building 1300-1400 Janissaries (yeni cheri) Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and former Yugoslavia Official recognition of Orthodox Christian Church Invasion of Timur destroyed most of empire

Mehmed the Conqueror 1451-81 Taking of Constantinople “Sovereign of the Two Lands and the Two Seas” – Established Ottoman Empire in Europe and Asia Artillery & naval power

Military Campaigns 1480-1520 Shift focus from Christian Europe to Islamic Empires in Egypt and Persia Fierce campaign against the Safavids Mecca and Medina

Suleyman I 1520-66 Suleyman the Magnificent Height of the Ottoman Empire Further move into Europe Renewed hostilities with Safavids

Relations with Safavids Renewed hostilities Took Baghdad and Tabriz, the capital By 1538 controlled Persian Gulf and Red Sea Treaty of 1555 returned Tabriz to Safavids

Death and Decline Loss to Europeans at Malta - 1565 Suleyman died in 1566 By 1600 lost much of its power Survived until the end of WWI

Safavid Empire 1501-1722 Origins as a religious sect Officially a Shi’ite empire Short lived Present day Iran

Shah Ismail 1501-26 Twelver Shi’ism official religion Violent conversion Qizilbash Claimed Ottoman land

Instability 1524-87 Death of Ismail – 1524 Power struggle among Qizilbash Move to more secular administration Attempt to return to Sunni origins Number of rulers unable to stabilize empire The Qizilbash ("Red Heads" due to their red headgear) were a religious group of different ethnic backgrounds, who helped found the Safavid dynasty. Kizilbash were able to produce a well-equipped army which was loyal to the Dynasty. They fought many campaigns, mosty against the Ottomans.

Abbas the Great 1587-1629 Rejuvenated empire Quelled internal revolts Faced Ottomans Enhanced trade with Europeans

Domestic Affairs Permanent paid army to counter Qizilbash infighting Centralization of power Relocation of capital to Isfahan

Conflict with the Ottomans Peace Treaty of 1590 Retook Tabriz in 1605 Recaptured Baghdad 1623 By death in 1629 Safavid Empire restored to borders established by Ismail I

Europeans Concluded new trade agreements to offset losses to Portuguese Traded Persian silks with English Became middleman for Indian goods Allied with British against Ottomans

Decline Abbas I feared ascension to throne Ceased giving provincial governorships to Safavid princes No shah was prepared to hold empire together Fell to Afghan invaders