chapter 19

Southwest Asia and the Indian Ocean (1500-1750)

Gunpowder Empires (1300-1700)

  • Key Empires:

    • Ottoman Empire: 1299-1922 CE

    • Safavid Empire: 1501-1736 CE

    • Mughal Empire: 1526-1857 CE

  • Geographic Influence:

    • Regions affected by these empires include parts of Europe, North Africa, and South Asia.

    • Strategic locations include Constantinople, Baghdad, Delhi, and Ormuz.

The Ottoman Empire (to 1750)

  • Longest-lived Muslim Empire (1299-1922)

    • Founded by: Osman (name origin)

    • 1453: Mehmed II conquered Constantinople.

  • Military & Political Organization:

    • Advanced structure leading to longevity through adaptability.

Growth of the Ottoman Empire

  • Selim the Grim (1512-1520): Conquered Egypt and Syria.

  • Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566):

    • Presided over the empire's Golden Age; known as "The Lawgiver".

    • Oversaw extensive military campaigns into Christian Europe.

Military Structure

  • Janissaries: Professional military slaves previously captured Christians.

  • Devshirme System: Selection process of young males for military roles.

  • Land grants to cavalry members supported by taxes, similar to feudalism.

Military Significance

  • Askeri: Military class, tax-exempt status.

  • Osmanli language: Blend of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish.

    • Symbolizes the cosmopolitan nature of the Empire.

Crisis and Revolt

  • Contributing Factors to Decline:

    1. Importance of guns increased on battlefields.

    2. Expansion and cost of the Janissary corps.

    3. Government land confiscations to fund Janissaries.

    4. Inflation from New World silver led to bankruptcies.

    5. Revolts by landless former cavalry and overtaxed peasants.

    6. Janissaries gained power, pushing for hereditary membership.

    7. Tax farming replaced land grants, weakening the central government.

Weakened Ottoman Empire

  • Capitulations: Trade agreements granting Europeans privileges.

  • Tulip Period (1718-1730): Elites became obsessed with European culture, neglecting governance.

  • 1730: Patrona Halil Rebellion against elite lifestyles.

The Safavid Empire (1502-1722)

  • Founded by Ismail as a Shi’ite state, rivaling Sunni empires.

  • Cultural Characteristics:

    • More Persian than Arabic influences, distinct from other Islamic cultures.

  • Economic Factors:

    • Reliance on silk and carpets for trade; military spending and inflation led to decline.

The Mughal Empire (1526-1761)

  • Founded by Babur: Muslim rule over a Hindu population.

  • Akbar: Notable leader fostering religious tolerance; land grants (Mansabs) controlled centrally.

Economic Aspects

  • Focus on cotton cloth trade; no naval power; relied on European partnerships.

Decline of the Mughal Empire

  • Aurangzeb (1658-1707): Expansion efforts led to fragmentation of the empire.

  • Invasion by Nadir Shah marked significant decline (1739).

The Maritime World of Islam (1500-1750)

  • Land empires faced challenges from maritime European powers.

  • Development of joint-stock companies increased economic competition, exemplified by the English and Dutch East India Companies.

  • Spread of Islam in Southeast Asia due to its flexibility and adaptability.