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