7.2.4

Chapter 4.2 II. Muslim Empires

• After the early spread of Islam, three large Islamic empires formed—the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal.

A. Muslims ruled the Ottoman Empire, which

was a political and cultural force.

1. The Ottomans were aided by slave soldiers called Janissaries.

2. They had new gunpowder weapons, such as the cannon.

3. Mehmed II and Suleyman I led conquests that turned the Ottomans into a world power.

4. During Suleyman’s rule, the Ottoman Empire reached its cultural peak.

– Poets wrote beautiful works.

– Architects turned Istanbul into a Muslim city.

5. Women had limited freedom.

B. Ottoman Government and Society

1. The sultan, or Ottoman ruler, issued laws and made all major decisions in the empire.

2. Ottoman society was divided into two classes.

– Judges and people who advised the sultan were part of the ruling class.

– Those who didn’t fit into the ruling class made up the other class. Many of these were Christians or Jews from lands the Ottomans had conquered.

C. The Safavid Empire blended Persian

cultural traditions with Shia Islam.

1. A conflict arose over who should be caliph.

2. Islam split into two groups.

– The Shia thought that only members of Muhammad’s family could become caliphs.

– The Sunni thought it did not matter as long as they were good Muslims and strong leaders.

D. The Safavid Empire

1. The Safavid Empire began when the Safavid leader Esma’il conquered Persia and made himself shah, or king.

2. He made Shiism the official religion of the empire.

3. The Safavids blended Persian and Muslim traditions.

4. The manufacturing of traditional products, such as handwoven carpets, silk, and velvet, was encouraged.

E. The Mughal Empire in India left an

impressive cultural heritage.

1. Babur established the Mughal Empire, but it grew mostly under an emperor named Akbar.

2. Akbar’s tolerant policies helped unify the empire.

3. A conflict of cultures led to the end of this empire, but resulted in a culture unique to the Mughal Empire.

4. Cultures that blended in the empire included

– Muslims

– Hindus

– Persians

– Indians