Islamic Land Empires: Key Figures and Events

These flashcards cover key figures, events, and concepts surrounding the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires, providing essential information for exam preparation.

Who was Sultan Mehmed II and what is he known for?

Sultan Mehmed II, also known as 'the Conqueror: ruled from 1451 to 1481 and is known for capturing Constantinople in 1453 and putting an end to the Byzantine empire, renaming it Istanbul.

Who was the first Mughal emperor of India?

Babur (or Zahir Al - din Muhammad, was known as “the Tiger “ to his troops.

Significance of Babur or "The Tiger “

• Maternal descendant of chinggis khan

• paternal descendant of Turkish conqueror Timur.

• Led his armies into India in 1523 at plunder, the invasion ended the Sultanate of Delhi.

• Takes the title of Badash(Master King)

• Babur having gunpowder technology gave them an advantage.

• Founded Mughal(Persian for Mongol) dynasty

• Babur ends up expanding through most of the Indian subcontinent.

• The Mughal empire ends as a result of the 7 years war.

Who was Sultan Suleyman the magnificent?

A former ottoman empire sultan from Turkey. He expanded into Asia and Europe. Then in 1529, he surrounded Vienna with armed troops(besieged)but tailed to capture it. Sultan Suleyman will also later be defeated at the battle of lepanto.then in 1566 in Hungary Suleyman dies, likely of natural causes.

What is the significance of safi al-din?

• The Safavid empire is named after him and he was a Sufi thinker.

What is a Sufi thinker?

A person who engages with and practice Sufism, which is a mystical or ascetic branch of Islam.

Who was Selim the grim?

Selim the Grim was an ottoman who attacked the Safavids with a heavy use of gun powder technologies that gave them an advantage. The Safavids had swords against the Ottoman guns.

What are the qizilbash?

Warrior loyal to shah Ismail or believed he was divine and invisible,

Describe the battle of chaldiran

In 1514 ottoman selim the grim attacked the Safavids using gunpowder technology against the Safavid swords

Who saved the weakened Safavid empire by improving administration, military, expands trade, and improved military expansion by adopting gunpowder weapons?

Shah ABBAs the great (ruled from 1588 - 1629)

What are significant things Akbar(grandson of Babur) did?

• Won fear and respect after throwing the leader of the army, Adham Khan, out the window twice, but the second time was to ensure he was dead.

• Created a centralized government

• Destroyed Hindu kingdom of vigayanayar

• He was religiously tolerant and promoted “ divine faith.”

What is divine Faith?

Belies in god or a higher power

What was Aurangzeb's significance?

• Overthrew is father shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal.

• Expanded Mughal Empire into southern India and its greatest extent.

• Was hostile towards Hinduism(demolished Hindu temples and replaced them with mosques as well as taxing Hindus to encourage conversion)

• Last Strong Emperor of the Mughal dynasty and after his rule the British will begin to move in.

What hat is the meaning of unilateral?

Performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in particular situation without an agreement of another or others.

What is a decree?

an official order issued by a legal authority

What is the meaning of intra-family?

Occurring within a family

What is a domicile?

Where a person lives.

What is a conscription?

A law that compels people to join the military or another service.

What was the significance of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571?

The Battle of Lepanto was a naval battle between the Catholics and Ottomans, organized by the Pope, marking a halt to Ottoman expansion into Europe and making Catholics appear strong in light of Protestant opposition.

What type of muslins are the ottomans?

Sunni Muslims

What types of Muslims on the Safavids?

Shia Muslims

Who led bands of semi nomadic Turks to become ghazi or Muslim religious warriors?

Osman

What religion did Shah Ismail proclaim in his realm?

Shah Ismail proclaimed Twelver Shiism as the official religion of his realm.

Who was Babur and what is he known for?

Zahir Al-Din Muhammad, known as Babur or 'Babur the Tiger,' was a Chagatai Turk who founded the Mughal dynasty and invaded northern India for plunder.

What was Akbar's approach to governance and religion?

Akbar, who ruled from 1556 to 1605, created a centralized government and was known for his religious tolerance, promoting a syncretic belief system called 'Divine Faith' that included aspects of multiple religions.

How did Aurangzeb's policies differ from those of Akbar?

Aurangzeb, who overthrew his father Shah Jahan, was hostile to Hinduism, demolished Hindu temples, and imposed a tax on Hindus, contrasting Akbar's earlier religious tolerance.

What was the role of Janissaries in the Ottoman Empire?

Janissaries were members of the Turkish infantry and the Sultan's guard, comprised originally of Christian boys taken through the devshirme system.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514?

The Battle of Chaldiran resulted in an Ottoman victory over the Safavid forces, leading to two centuries of conflict between the two empires.

What were the common elements of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires?

These empires were:

• based on military conquest ('gunpowder empires')

• had extensive bureaucracies

• their prestige depended on military prowess and piety.

• Use of jizya

• All had close relations with Sufism & ghazitradition to spread the faith.

• Safavids have gone to war with both empires, lost to ottomans, won against Mughals.

• Intra-family conflicts over power

What system did the Ottomans implement for non-Muslim populations?

The Ottomans used the millet system which allowed non-Muslim groups to have autonomy in their own religious and legal affairs in exchange for a tax known as jizya.