Muslim Empires

Question #2: Muslim Empires: Building: What were the main characteristics of each of the Muslim empire and in what ways did they resemble each other? How were they distinct from their European Counterparts? Which Dynasty was most successful, and why?

The Ottomans, Safavids, and the Mughals were all distinct Muslim empires that were similar in the regards of developing arts and Architecture that remain prominent in modern times. Another resemblance between the three Muslim empires was the peaceful existence of mixed societies in conjunction with their tolerance for non-Muslims. Unfortunately the restrictions on women that were not a part of the elite were also a commonality between the empires. Though all three empires were successful in their own right, the Ottoman Empire proved to be the most successful due to their technological prowess and military power which allowed them to influence a broader region of people.

The Ottomans spawned from the original Osmanli dynasty which was a group of nomadic people from Turkey who migrated to the west into Central Asia during the ninth thru the eleventh century. One of the Ottomans significant accomplishments was the conquering of the Byzantine Empire. In the hierarchy structure of the Ottomans, the Sultan was the supreme leader. The ottomans made huge advancements in technology relative to cannons and muskets and subsequently allowed them to expand their territorial footprint to be the largest of the three empires. A unique trait of the Ottomans was the exclusive use of slaves to produce royal heirs. Women of the Harem also played a significant role in the hierarchy structure of the Ottoman Empire due to primarily being extended relatives of the Sultan. The different social classes had benefits that were more refined than that of the other two empires. The ottomans essentially developed the base structure for what the other empires would become. The ruling elite of the Ottoman Empire were Sunni Muslims and thus...