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Definition
Originally a Turkic nomadic group; family originated in Sufi mystic group; espoused Shi'ism; conquered territory and established kingdom in region equivalent to modern Iran; lasted until 1722
Significance: -founded dynasty in what is now Iran
-restored Persia as a major cultural and political center, as well as an enduring region of Shi'ism
Analyze: -arose from struggle of rival Turkic nomadic groups in wake of Mongol and Timurid invasions of 13th and 14th centuries |
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Est. by Babur in India in 1526; name is taken from supposed Mongol descent of Babur, but there is little indication of any Mongol influence in dynasty; became weak after rule of Aurangzeb in first decades of 18th century
Significance: -great armies that relied heavily on large cannons and muskets
-did not launch conquests out of religious fervor
-produced some of the greatest art and architecture in the world
Analyze: -raids originally only for purpose of acquiring wealth and booty
-great rulers like Akbar stressed tolerance and fusion of Muslim and Hindu culture |
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Definition
Turkic people who advanced from strongholds in Asia Minor during 1350s; conquered large part of Balkans; unified under Mehmed I; captured Constantinople in 1453; est. empire from Balkans that included most of Arab world
Significance: -built one of the largest and the longest lasting empires in history
-great military prowess and leaders
Analyze: -they were a sea as well as land power
-great talent in in warfare, architecture, and engineering |
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page 471
Mehmed II
(1432-1481) |
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Definition
Ottoman sultan called the "Conquerer"; responsible for conquest of Constantinople in 1453; destroyed what remained of Byzantine Empire
Significance: -responsible for sacking of Constantinople
-leader of over 100,000 army troops
Analyze: -destruction of famous Byzantine walls by using cannons allowed troops to raid and pillage the city |
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Definition
Ottoman infantry divisions that dominated Ottoman armies; forcibly conscripted as boys in conquered areas of Balkans, legally slaves; translated military service into political influence, particularly after 18th century
Significance: -made up majority of Ottoman infantry divisions
-controlled artillery and firearms of empire
-often gained political power
Analyze: -youths were given relatively extensive schooling
-later entered into bureaucracy or palace |
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Definition
Ottoman equivalent of the Abbasid wazir; head of the Ottoman bureaucracy; after 5th century often more powerful than sultan
Significance: -carried out day-to-day administrative duties
-often possessed more influence than sultan
Analyze: -sultans grew more and more distant due to indulgence in luxuries
-vizier was needed to carry out basic duties |
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Definition
Early 14th century Sufi mystic; began campaign to purify Islam; first member of Safavid dynasty
Significance: -gained large amount of followers (Red Heads) as well as enemies
-first member of Safavid dynasty
-attempted to reform Islam via "purification"
Analyze: -victory over competing Turkic tribes following decline of Mongol occupation |
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Definition
Name given to Safavid followers because of their distinctive red headgear
Significance: -represented majority of Safavid followers
-preached Shi'a doctrines
Analyze: -religious dedication |
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page 478
Isma'il
(1487-1524) |
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Definition
Sufi commander who conquered city of Tabriz in 1501; first Safavid to be proclaimed shah or emperor
Significance: -led Turkic followers to a string of victories
-followers conquered most of Persia and drove back Safavid enemies, the Ozbegs
Analyze: -strong military influence of Isma'il allowed followers to be successful in their conquests |
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Definition
Site of battle between Safavids and Ottomans in 1514; Safavids severely defeated by Ottomans; checked western advance of Safavid Empire
Significance: -stopped Safavid empire from expanded further westward
-demonstration of war over religion, as well as importance of military technology, such as cannons and gunpowder
Analyze: -lack of strong weapons on Safavid side allowed Ottomans to easily defeat their cavalry
-nonetheless, the Ottomans could not conquer enough territory to completely overthrow Safavids |
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Term
page 479
Abbas the Great
(r. 1587-1629) |
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Definition
Safavid; extended Safavid domain to greatest extent; created slave regiments based on captured Russians, who monopolized firearms within Safavid armies; incorporated Western military technology
Significance: -made most extensive use of Russian youths
-trained them well and established them as monopolizers of Western military technologies, like firearms
Analyze: -Persians possessed handguns and artillery already
-techniques learned from Europeans like the Sherley brothers (England) |
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Definition
According to Shi'ism, rulers who could trace descent from succession of Ali
Significance: -used as a means of justifying rule
Analyze: -succession from Islamic prophet made shahs seem more qualified |
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Definition
Local mosque officials and prayer leaders within the Safavid Empire; agents of Safavid religious campaign to convert all of population to Shi'ism
Significance: -used to inspire conversion to Shi'ism of Safavid Empire citizens
Analyze: -teachings were planned and directed by state officials
-shahs had come to rely on Persian religious officials |
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Term
page 482
Isfahan
(1592-1629) |
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Definition
Safavid capital under Abbas the Great; planned city laid out according to shah's plan; example of Safavid architecture
Significance: -home of shah was located in city and designed according to Abbas' plans
-example of great Safavid architecture
Analyze: -leadership of Abbas made construction possible, as well as his patronization of the arts
-great site still standing today: Shah Mosque |
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Term
page 484
Nadir Khan Afshar
(1688-1747) |
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Definition
Soldier-adventurer following fall of Safavid dynasty in 1722; proclaimed himself shah in 1736; est. short-lived dynasty in reduced kingdom
Significance: -first shah following decline of Safavid Empire
-dynasty was still short-lived
Analyze: -fought for throne during decade of war after Safavid decline; emerged victorious
-city was a target for neighbors and nomadic raiders |
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Definition
Founder of Mughal dynasty in India; descended from Turkic warriors; first led invasion of India in 1526; died 1530
Significance: -founder of Mughal dynasty
-conquered much of India and eventually laid foundations for his dynasty there
Analyze: -originally interested in India for possibility of acquiring booty
-resorted to establishing dynasty in India due to impossibility of reclaiming central Asian homeland |
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Definition
Son and successor of Babur; expelled from India in 1540, but restored Mughal rule by 1556; died shortly thereafter
Significance: -successor of Babur
-reestablished Mughal dominance in India before his death
Analyze: -Humayan was a great warrior and, after an embarrassing exile to the Safavid court, was able to regain his composure and begin conquering again |
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Term
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Definition
Son and successor of Humayan; oversaw building of military and administrative systems that became typical of Mughal rule in India; pursued policy of cooperation with Hindu princes; attempted to create new religion to bind Muslim and Hindu populations of India
Significance: -oversaw military and administrative systems
-patronized the arts and partook in philosophical and religious discussions
-strongly enforced tolerance and cooperation between various religions/races (Islam/Hindu; Middle Eastern/Indian; [Din-i-Ilahi])
Analyze: -strong, skilled warrior and workaholic
-built successful relationships with rulers and locals by abolishing harsh taxes (jizya) and promoting Hindu in government |
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Definition
Religion initiated by Akbar in Mughal India; blended elements of the many faiths of subcontinent; key to efforts to reconcile Hindu and Muslims in India, but failed
Significance: -bold attempt to rid subcontinent of religious disputes and sectarian quarrels
-unfortunately, it failed
Analyze: -attempt to unite all forces of India and abolish faith-based fighting |
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Definition
Ritual in India of immolating surviving widows with the bodies of their deceased husbands
Significance: -horrific practice that women were (more often than not) forced into committing
-abolished by Akbar, but not much immediate impact was made
Analyze: -practice was deeply entrenched in culture of Rajput princes and warrior classes |
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Definition
Seclusion in their homes imposed on women
Significance: -another practice that severely restricted rights of women
-Akbar strongly opposed this practice, as demonstrated in the laws he imposed
Analyze: -oppression of women was, unfortunately, a learned part of some Indian culture
-Akbar encouraged merchants to set aside special market days for women so that they could leave their homes |
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Definition
Mughal emperor who succeeded Shah Jajan and was known for his religious zealotry
Significance: -courageous, honest, intelligent, and hardworking
-determined to extend Mughal control over entire subcontinent
-attempted to rid Indian Islam of "corrupting" Hindu influences
Analyze: -inherited Mughal dynasty during time of steady decline
-bureaucracy and military were corrupt and behind in technologies, and the public was revolting against high taxes |
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Definition
Most famous architectural achievement of Mughal India; originally built as mausoleum for wife of Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal
Significance: -blends Persian and Hindu artistic styles and decoration (domes, arches, minarets, marble, etc.)
-truly beautiful architectural masterpiece
Analyze: -Jahangir and Shah Jahan were both huge patrons of the arts
-cultural fusion created style seen in structure |
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Term
page 489
Nur Jahan
([NOOR juh-HAHN]; 1577-1645) |
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Definition
Wife of Jahangir; amassed power in court and created faction of male relatives who dominated Mughal empire during later years of Jahangir's reign
Significance: -spent lots of money on luxuries, but also patronized much needed charities in major cities
-her and her male relatives dominated the empire for a significant period of Jahangir's reign
Analyze: -Jahangir became more addicted to wine and opium, allowing Nur Jahan to discreetly create factions filled with her own family members
-great amount of wealth enabled her to support charities |
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Term
page 489
Mumtaz Mahal
([MUHM-tahz mah-HAHL]; 1593-1631) |
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Definition
Wife of Shah Jahan; took an active political role in Mughal court; entombed in Taj Mahal
Significance: -played an active role in politics, but not as much as Nur Jahan
-greatly beloved by husband, Shah Jahan
Analyze: -Shah Jahan was a much more able ruler than his predecessor, so Mahal was unable to cause any further corruption
-Jahan's love for his wife is represented in the Taj Mahal |
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Definition
Western India peoples who rebelled against Mughal control early in 18th century
Significance: -one of the groups of rebels that put an end to Mughal control over large areas
Analyze: -overextension and corruption of empire created widespread unhappiness throughout the empire |
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Definition
Sect in northwest India; early leaders tried to bridge differences between Hindu and Muslim, but Mughal persecution led to anti-Muslim feeling
Significance: -originally intended to bridge differences between Muslim and Hindu peoples
-sect was persecuted by Mughals; sect became staunchly anti-Muslim
Analyze: -initial intentions were good and peaceful
-maltreatment from fearful Mughals caused Sikhs to despise Islamic religion |
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