3.2: Empires: Administration 1450-1750 t

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority and derives the right to rule directly from the will of God.

Justices of the Peace

Officials in the Tudor Dynasty who were responsible for maintaining peace and carrying out the will of the monarch throughout England.

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler has absolute power and authority over government and society.

Devshirme

A system used by Ottoman sultans to recruit and educate enslaved boys from Christian families in the Balkans, integrating them into the military or administrative services.

Janissaries

Elite military corps of the Ottoman Empire formed from the Devshirme system, known for their loyalty to the sultan.

Ming Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty (1368–1644) that overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and focused on reestablishing Chinese cultural and bureaucratic traditions.

Daimyo

Samurai-led landowning aristocracy in Japan, who governed territories and had significant power during the feudal period.

Tokugawa Shogunate

The military government in Japan (1603–1868) that centralized power under the shogun, diminishing the role of the emperor.

Mughal Empire

An empire in India (1526–1761) known for its significant cultural, economic, and political achievements, particularly during the reign of Akbar.

Zamindars

Local officials in the Mughal Empire responsible for tax collection and serving as administrative powers.

Palace at Versailles

The grand residence near Paris built by Louis XIV to demonstrate his absolute power and control over France.

Suleymaniye Mosque

An iconic mosque in Istanbul built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, symbolizing Ottoman architectural achievement.

Taj Mahal

A magnificent tomb commissioned by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, symbolizing the Mughal Empire's architectural and cultural prominence.

Askia the Great

The ruler of the Songhai Empire who promoted Islam as the official religion, fostering a sense of cultural unity and legitimacy.