The Muslim Empires

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the Muslim Empires, including the Five Pillars of Islam, significant historical events, and important figures.

Five Pillars of Islam

The five basic religious duties every Muslim is expected to follow.

Shahada

Declaration of faith: 'There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.'

Salat

Praying five times a day.

Zakat

Giving charity to the poor.

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if able.

Byzantine Empire

An empire known for Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Siege of Constantinople

Significant event in 1453 that marked the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

Caliph

A religious and political leader in Islam; seen as a successor to Muhammad.

Shah

The title for a king in the Safavid and Persian empires.

Religious orthodoxy

Strictly following traditional religious beliefs and rules.

Bazaars

Large outdoor markets where people buy and sell goods.

Suttee (Sati)

A former Hindu practice where a widow was expected to throw herself onto her husband's funeral fire (now illegal).

Bureaucracy

A system of government with many departments and officials who help run the empire.

Janissary

Elite soldiers in the Ottoman Empire who were trained from a young age to be loyal warriors for the sultan.

Gunpowder empire

Empires (like the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals) that used gunpowder weapons to expand and maintain their power.

Sultan

The ruler of the Ottoman Empire; like a king.

Annex

To take over and add new territory to your empire or country.