Untitled Flashcard Set

Sahel

A semi-arid transitional zone in Africa located between the Sahara Desert to the north and the savannas to the south. Historically home to powerful trading empires.

Timbuktu Manuscripts

A collection of millions of medieval manuscripts from Timbuktu, Mali, written primarily in Arabic, covering various subjects like astronomy, mathematics, medicine, law, and Islamic studies.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, referring often to the spread of Islam and its associated practices in the context of the Sahel.

Mansa Musa

Emperor of the Mali Empire, considered one of the wealthiest individuals in history, known for his pilgrimage to Mecca that showcased Mali's wealth.

Mandate of Heaven

A traditional Chinese philosophical concept that sanctioned the rule of the Emperor, granting it to a just ruler and withdrawing it from a tyrannical one.

Han Dynasty

A long and influential dynasty known for significant advancements including the establishment of the Silk Road and promotion of Confucianism. (206 BCE – 220 CE)

Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)

A prominent dynasty marking a period of Mongol rule, known for re-establishing the capital in Beijing and completing the Grand Canal.

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Rose after the fall of the Yuan Dynasty; known for its effective government, cultural achievements, and expeditions.

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)

The last imperial dynasty of China, ruled by the Manchu people, overseeing a vast increase in territory and population.

Silk Road

A network of trade routes that connected the East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.

Cultural Syncretism

The blending of cultural elements from different societies, an example includes the adaptation of Buddhism in China.

Zheng He

A Chinese mariner and explorer during the Ming Dynasty, known for leading large expeditions to the Indian Ocean. (1371–1433)

Confucius (551–479 BCE)

An influential Chinese philosopher whose teachings on morality and ethics greatly influenced Chinese culture.

Din-i Ilahi

An eclectic religious doctrine promulgated by Mughal emperor Akbar intended to merge elements of the religions in his empire.

Jizya

A per capita yearly tax levied by Islamic states on non-Muslim subjects, synonymous with protected status.

Akbar (1542–1605)

The third Mughal emperor, renowned for expanding the empire and promoting cultural blending and religious tolerance.

Aurangzeb (1618–1707)

The sixth Mughal emperor, known for expanding the empire and strict adherence to Islamic law.

Millet

A separate legal court in the Ottoman Empire allowing confessional communities to rule themselves under their laws.

Janissaries

Elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops and were primarily composed of Christian boys taken through the devshirme system.

Devshirme

The system in the Ottoman Empire for conscripting boys from Christian families for state servitude and conversion to Islam.

Osman I

The leader of the Ottoman Turks and founder of the Ottoman dynasty, after whom the empire was named. (1258–1326)

Mehmet II / Mehmed the Conqueror

Conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire and solidifying Ottoman control. (1432–1481)

Suleiman the Magnificent

The longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, presiding over its golden age in military, political, and economic power. (1494–1566)