East Asia and middle eastern empires

Ottoman Empire

The longest lasting Islamic gunpowder empire (1299-1922) that controlled much of Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Centered in the Middle East.

Safavid Dynasty

Islamic gunpowder empire centered in modern day Iran, adopted the Shia branch of Islam that led to conflict with the other Islamic gunpowder empires. Located in the Middle East.

Mughal Empire

An Islamic gunpowder empire that ruled most of India (1526-1857), known for a Muslim minority ruling over a Hindu majority. Due to this, there was a blending of culture and architectural styles. Located in South Asia.

Suleiman Mosque

A grand mosque in Istanbul built under Suleiman the Magnificent as a symbol of Ottoman power. Located in the Middle East.

Coffeehouses

Social gathering places in Islamic cities where people discussed politics, business, and religion.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods used by empires to raise revenue and control trade.

Tribute

Payments made by conquered peoples to empires as a sign of loyalty and submission.

Ulama

Islamic scholars who interpreted religious law and advised rulers.

Umma

The worldwide community of Muslims connected by faith.

Sharia Law

Islamic legal system derived from the Qur'an and traditions of Muhammad.

Harem

Secluded living quarters for the wives and concubines of rulers and powerful elites.

Miniature Paintings

Artistic style developed in the gunpowder empires, known for their small size and high detail. Usually depicting rulers and other important political scenes.

Millet System

Ottoman system allowing religious minorities to govern themselves under their own laws. Located in the Middle East.

Sikhism

A syncretic religion founded in India combining elements of Hinduism and Islam. Founded in South Asia.

Guru Nanak

Founder of Sikhism who taught devotion to one God and rejection of caste. Located in South Asia.

Taj Mahal

A Mughal mausoleum built by Shah Jahan as a symbol of love and power. Located in South Asia.

Gunpowder Empires

Islamic empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal) that used firearms and cannons to expand.

Sultan

Leaders of certain Islamic states.

Mehmed II

Ottoman ruler who conquered Constantinople in 1453, renaming it Istanbul. From the Middle East.

Suleiman I

Ottoman ruler known as 'the Magnificent,' who expanded the empire and reformed laws. Also commissioned the Sulieman mosque. Located in the Middle East.

Topkapi Palace

The political and cultural center of the Ottoman sultans in Istanbul. Located in the Middle East.

Viziers

High officials who served as advisors or ministers to Muslim rulers.

Shah

An islamic title for ruler, ususally used in the Safavids and the Mughals.

Tax Farming

Type of tax collection where wealthy elites can purchase the right to collect taxes, leading to corruption.

Askia of Songhai

West African Muslim ruler who expanded Songhai and promoted Islam. Located in West Africa.

Piracy

Seafaring raiders who disrupted trade and empire control.

Shah Abbas I

Safavid ruler who strengthened the empire and promoted trade and culture. Located in the Middle East.

Ismail

Founder of the Safavid Empire who declared Shia as the official state religion. Located in the Middle East.

Sulh-i Kull

Mughal policy of religious tolerance under Akbar, meaning 'peace to all.' Located in South Asia.

Khalsa

The community of loyal Sikh warriors Located in South Asia.

Qezilbash

Safavid warriors who supported the shahs and promoted Shia Islam. Located in the Middle East.

Isfahan

Capital of the Safavid Empire known for its architecture and trade. Located in the Middle East

Babur

Founder of the Mughal Empire in India. Located in South Asia

Shah Akbar

Mughal ruler, also known as Akbar the Great, famous for religious tolerance and administrative reforms. Located in South Asia.

Zamindars

Mughal tax collectors who kept part of the revenue for themselves. Located in South Asia

Mansabdars

Mughal officials who held land grants in exchange for military service. Located in South Asia

Devshirme

Ottoman tax system of taking Christian boys from the Balkans to serve as soldiers or officials. Located in the Middle East

Shah Jahan

Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal. Located in South Asia

Shah Aurangzeb

Mughal ruler known for his strict Islamic policies, intolerance to Hindus and expansion of empire. Located in South Asia.

Janissaries

Enslaved slave soldiers that become an elite fighting force, collected through the Devshirme system. Located in the Middle East

Istanbul

Capital of the Ottoman Empire, formerly Constantinople. Located in the Middle East

Purdah

Practice of secluding women from public view in Muslim and Hindu societies.

Mumtaz Mahal

Wife of Shah Jahan for whom the Taj Mahal was built. Located in South Asia

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam that believes that the leader of the faith should be elected.

Shi'a

A branch of Islam that believes leadership should descend from Muhammad's family.

Rupee

Currency introduced in the Mughal Empire and used widely in South Asia.

Delhi

Key Mughal capital city in India. Located in South Asia

Twelver Shi'ism

A sect of Shi'a Islam dominant in Safavid empire, believing in 12 divinely guided imams. Located in the Middle East.

Imams

Spiritual leaders in Islam, especially central in Shi'a traditions.

Madrasa

Islamic schools and universities.

Bureaucracy

A government system with officials organized into departments.

Centralized Power

A political system where authority is concentrated in a single person and their close advisors.

Hongwu

Founder of the Ming Dynasty who restored Chinese traditions and agriculture. Located in East Asia.

Ming Dynasty

The ethnic Chinese dynasty (1368-1644) known for early expansion and then turning to isolation. They also built the Forbidden City and sponsored Zheng He's voyages. Located in East Asia.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Japanese leader who unified much of Japan in the late 1500s. Located in East Asia.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate who established lasting peace in Japan. Located in East Asia.

Edo

Capital of the Tokugawa Shogunate, later renamed Tokyo. Located in East Asia.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Japanese military government (1603-1868) that enforced isolation and stability. Located in East Asia.

Daimyo

Powerful Japanese feudal lords under the shogunate. Located in East Asia.

Qing Dynasty

China's last dynasty (1644-1911), founded by the Manchus. Located in East Asia.

Nanjing

A major Chinese city that served as a Ming capital. Located in East Asia.

Forbidden City

Imperial palace complex in Beijing symbolizing Chinese power. Located in East Asia.

Journey to the West

Famous Ming novel blending history, myth, and Buddhism. Located in East Asia.

Zheng He

Ming admiral who led massive naval expeditions across the Indian Ocean. Located in East Asia

White Lotus Rebellion

Peasant uprising against the Qing Dynasty inspired by religion. Located in East Asia.

Red Turban Movement

Rebellion that helped overthrow the Yuan dynasty and establish the Ming. Located in East Asia

Cartography

The science of mapmaking.

Manchus

People from northeast Asia who founded the Qing Dynasty. Located in East Asia

47 Ronin

A group of samurai that rebelled against the government to avenge their fallen daimyo. This led to stricter control on the samurai and ended their role as warriors. Located in East Asia

Tribute System

A system where foreign states pay taxes or provide gifts to acknowledge a more powerful state.

Emperor Qianlong

Qing emperor who expanded China to its largest territorial size and most known for its portraits of images of power. Located in East Asia.

Kangxi

Longest ruling Chinese emperor who stabilized the empire and expanded its influence. Located in East Asia

Canton System

Started by the Ming and adopted by the Qing, it was a trade policy that restricted foreign merchants to the city of Canton. Required them to pay in gold and silver and stay on their boats. Demonstrates power resided in East Asia. Located in East Asia

Single Whip Tax

Ming tax on silver contributed to inflation in the Ming economy. Located in East Asia.

Yongle

Ming Emperor responsible for sponsoring Zheng He's voyages and restoring Chinese prestige. Located in East Asia.

Que

The hairstyle (long braid down the back) enforced on native Chinese men by the Qing to create separation and show dominance. Located in East Asia.

Period of Great Peace

Time period in the Tokugawa Shogunate where they secluded themselves from foreign influence.