Chapter 4.2
II. Muslim Empires
• After the early spread of Islam, three large Islamic
empires formed—the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal.
7.2.4
A. Muslims ruled the Ottoman Empire, which
was a political and cultural force.
1. The Ottomans were aided
by slave soldiers called
Janissaries.
4. During Suleyman’s rule,
the Ottoman Empire
reached its cultural peak.
2. They had new gunpowder
weapons, such as the
cannon.
– Poets wrote beautiful
works.
3. Mehmed II and Suleyman
I led conquests that
turned the Ottomans into
a world power.
– Architects turned
Istanbul into a Muslim
city.
5. Women had limited
freedom.
B. Ottoman Government and Society
1. The sultan, or Ottoman ruler, issued laws and made all
major decisions in the empire.
2. Ottoman society was divided into two classes.
– Judges and people who advised the sultan were part of
the ruling class.
– Those who didn’t fit into the ruling class made up the
other class. Many of these were Christians or Jews from
lands the Ottomans had conquered.
C. The Safavid Empire blended Persian
cultural traditions with Shia Islam.
1. A conflict arose over who should be caliph.
2. Islam split into two groups.
– The Shia thought that only members of Muhammad’s
family could become caliphs.
– The Sunni thought it did not matter as long as they
were good Muslims and strong leaders.
D. The Safavid Empire
1. The Safavid Empire began when the Safavid leader
Esma’il conquered Persia and made himself shah, or king.
2. He made Shiism the official religion of the empire.
3. The Safavids blended Persian and Muslim traditions.
4. The manufacturing of traditional products, such as
handwoven carpets, silk, and velvet, was encouraged.
E. The Mughal Empire in India left an
impressive cultural heritage.
1. Babur established the Mughal Empire, but it grew mostly
under an emperor named Akbar.
2. Akbar’s tolerant policies helped unify the empire.
3. A conflict of cultures led to the end of this empire, but
resulted in a culture unique to the Mughal Empire.
4. Cultures that blended in the empire included
– Muslims
– Hindus
– Persians
– Indians