Untitled Flashcard Set

Q: What were the Gunpowder Empires?
A: Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal—used gunpowder weapons to expand.
Q: What do the Gunpowder Empires have in common?
A: Islamic, powerful militaries, cultural achievements, used trade and agriculture.
Q: What’s a Sultan?
A: Ottoman ruler.
Q: What’s a Shah?
A: Safavid ruler.
Q: What’s an Emperor in this context?
A: Mughal ruler.
Q: What religion were Ottomans?
A: Sunni Islam.
Q: What religion were Safavids?
A: Shia Islam.
Q: What religion were Mughals?
A: Mostly Muslim rulers over a Hindu majority.

Q: Who were the Janissaries?
A: Christian boys taken, converted, and trained as elite soldiers.
Q: What was the Millet System?
A: Religious minorities ran their own communities but paid taxes.
Q: How was Ottoman trade regulated?
A: The state taxed and controlled trade, supported guilds.
Q: Name major Ottoman cities.
A: Istanbul, Damascus, Aleppo, Cairo.
Q: What social features defined Ottoman cities?
A: Diverse populations, merchants/artisans, dhimmi autonomy.
Q: What was Ottoman architecture like?
A: Huge mosques with domes and minarets.
Q: What did monumental architecture show?
A: Power and wealth of rulers.
Q: Example of Ottoman monumental architecture?
A: Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
Q: Who was Suleiman the Magnificent?
A: Most powerful Ottoman Sultan, expanded empire, patron of arts.
Q: How did Ottomans treat conquered people?
A: Allowed religious autonomy with extra taxes.
Q: What was the Devshirme system?
A: System of recruiting Christian boys for military or administration.
Q: How did Ottomans show power?
A: Architecture, military strength, and control of trade.
Q: What was the Ottoman economy based on?
A: Trade (Silk Road, Mediterranean), agriculture, taxation.
Q: What was Ottoman culture like?
A: Mix of Islamic, Byzantine, Persian influences.
Q: What was Istanbul’s importance?
A: Trade hub connecting Europe, Asia, Africa.
Q: Why were guilds important?
A: Organized artisans and controlled quality/standards.

Q: What religion were the Safavids?
A: Shia Islam.
Q: Who was Shah Abbas I?
A: Greatest Safavid ruler, strengthened military, trade, culture.
Q: What was the Safavid capital?
A: Isfahan.
Q: What were Safavid mosques like?
A: Colorful domes and tall minarets symbolizing heaven.
Q: What did Safavid art focus on?
A: Calligraphy, carpets, miniature paintings.
Q: What was the Safavid economy based on?
A: Silk, carpets, trade, agriculture.
Q: Who were the Safavid’s main rivals?
A: Ottomans (Sunni vs Shia conflict).
Q: What was Persian influence under Safavids?
A: Language, culture, art shaped empire identity.

Q: Who founded the Mughal Empire?
A: Babur in 1526.
Q: Who was Akbar the Great?
A: Tolerant ruler, expanded empire, promoted religious blending.
Q: What was Din-i Ilahi?
A: Akbar’s religion mixing Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Christian ideas.
Q: How did Akbar treat Hindus?
A: Ended jizya tax, allowed Hindus in government.
Q: What did Jahangir and Shah Jahan build?
A: Taj Mahal and other monuments.
Q: What was Mughal architecture like?
A: Blend of Islamic, Persian, Hindu styles.
Q: Example of Mughal architecture?
A: Taj Mahal = symbol of love + power.
Q: What was Mughal economy based on?
A: Agriculture (cotton, rice, wheat) + trade.
Q: What was Mughal culture like?
A: Persian language, art, Hindu-Muslim cultural blending.
Q: What role did women play?
A: Some had power in court (e.g., Nur Jahan).
Q: What was Sikhism?
A: New syncretic faith in N. India blending Hindu & Muslim ideas.
Q: What was the Mughal social hierarchy?
A: Muslim elites on top, Hindu majority below.
Q: What was the Mughal military like?
A: Gunpowder, cavalry, elephants.
Q: Why was Akbar’s tolerance important?
A: United Hindus and Muslims in empire.
Q: What language was common in Mughal India?
A: Persian in court, but many local languages spoken.
Q: Who was Aurangzeb?
A: Later ruler, reversed tolerance, imposed strict Islam.

Q: What did all Gunpowder Empires have in common?
A: Islamic, used gunpowder weapons, monumental architecture, trade-based economies.
Q: How did rulers show power?
A: Military strength, architecture, wealth.
Q: What role did religion play?
A: Central to legitimacy, but policies varied (tolerant vs strict).
Q: What did their architecture symbolize?
A: Power, wealth, and religion.
Q: What was their economic base?
A: Agriculture and trade.
Q: What was their cultural legacy?
A: Blended Islamic, Persian, local influences.
Q: How were cities important?
A: Centers of trade, religion, culture.
Q: How did they use bureaucracy?
A: Organized tax collection, law, administration.
Q: What role did elites play?
A: Supported rulers but sometimes challenged them.