Empires

Ottoman Empire

A gunpowder empire that expanded through advanced military and artillery, ruling from Anatolia to North Africa.

Janissaries

Elite infantry corps of the Ottoman Empire.

Devshirme System

A system that conscripted Christian boys, converting them to Islam and training them as soldiers or administrators.

Sultans

Absolute rulers of the Ottoman Empire.

Millet System

Allowed non-Muslim communities in the Ottoman Empire to govern themselves under their own laws in exchange for taxes.

Suleiman the Magnificent

Key ruler of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 who expanded the territory and oversaw a golden age.

Shi’a Islam

Established as the state religion of the Safavid Empire, leading to rivalry with Sunni Muslims.

Shah Abbas I

Key ruler of the Safavid Empire who modernized the military and promoted international trade.

Qizilbash

Turkic tribal cavalry integral to the Safavid military and administration.

Akbar the Great

Key ruler of the Mughal Empire who instituted religious tolerance and removed the jizya tax.

Din-i Ilahi

A syncretic faith promoted by Akbar the Great to unite various religious communities.

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that restored Han rule and strengthened Confucian bureaucracy after overthrowing the Mongol Yuan.

Zheng He

Led large-scale maritime expeditions during the Ming Dynasty before the adoption of isolationist policies.

Forbidden City

A palatial complex built during the Ming Dynasty in Beijing.

Qing Dynasty

The last imperial dynasty of China, ruled by Manchu people, from 1644 to 1912.

Ivan the Terrible

First Tsar of Russia who centralized power through brutal methods and created secret police.

Peter the Great

Key ruler of Russia who modernized the military and founded St. Petersburg.

Songhai Empire

A West African empire that derived wealth from controlling trans-Saharan trade.

Timbuktu

A crucial center of Islamic learning and trade during the Songhai Empire.

Aztec Empire

A tribute empire in Mesoamerica known for its polytheistic religion and monumental architecture.

Mansa Musa

Notable ruler of the Mali Empire known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca, enhancing Mali's reputation.

Chinampas

Floating agricultural gardens developed by the Aztecs for intensive farming.

Taj Mahal

A famous monumental architecture symbol of the Mughal Empire, built by Shah Jahan.

Mali Empire

A West African empire famous for its wealth derived from gold and salt trade and Islamic scholarship.