Globalization/Colonialism/Imperialism Flashcard

Ottoman Empire

A historical empire founded in the late 13th century, which lasted until the early 20th century, known for its vast territories across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Osmanlilar

The ruling class of the Ottoman Empire, typically referred to as 'Ottomans'.

Devshirme

A system of recruiting and training boys from Christian families for military or administrative service in the Ottoman Empire.

Timars

Land grants given to sipahi (horse soldiers) to manage and exploit in exchange for military service.

Sipahis

Horse soldiers in the Ottoman military, who often held land grants known as timars.

Janissaries

Elite infantry soldiers in the Ottoman Empire, originally formed from Christian boys taken under the devshirme system.

Ulama

Muslim scholars and religious leaders who played a crucial role in the cultural branch of the Ottoman ruling class.

Millet

A religious community in the Ottoman Empire, where different religious groups had a degree of autonomy to govern themselves.

Capitulations

Agreements issued by the Ottoman Empire that granted rights and privileges to foreign nationals, freeing them from local laws.

Nizam-i-Cedid

The 'New Order' military reforms initiated by Sultan Selim III to modernize the Ottoman army.

Auspicious Event

A term used to describe the massacre of the Janissaries by Mahmud II in 1826, marking a turning point in Ottoman military reform.

Waqfs

Islamic endowments, often managed by the ulama, to support religious, educational, and charitable activities.

Muhammad Ali

An Albanian Ottoman military officer who became the de facto ruler of Egypt and initiated significant reforms.

Kizilbash

Shi'i Turkish tribal warriors who supported the Safavid dynasty in Persia.

Sufi brotherhood

A religious brotherhood within Islam that emphasizes mysticism, often playing a significant role in society and politics.

Shaykh al-Islam

A high-ranking title given to the chief religious authority in the Ottoman Empire.

Mamluks

A military class of former slaves who ruled Egypt and parts of the Levant before the rise of Muhammad Ali.

Koprulu family

A prominent family of grand viziers in the late Ottoman Empire known for their efforts in reform and consolidation.

Harem

A domestic space reserved for the women of the Ottoman sultan, often including wives, concubines, and female relatives.

Ghulams

Christian boys taken as slaves and trained as soldiers and administrators in the Safavid Empire.

Timurid dynasty

A historical dynasty in Central Asia, known for its cultural achievements and military conquests, influencing later empires.

Treaty of Karlowitz

A peace treaty signed in 1699, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire's territorial expansion in Europe.