Renaissance and Suleyman the Magnificent

Renaissance

• A period of great creativity in art, writing, and thought, lasting from approximately 1300 to 1600.
• Meaning "rebirth," it was a revival of classical Greek and Roman art and learning.
• Italian educated individuals sought to revive the culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
• Led to new artistic and literary styles, as well as new values, emphasizing the importance of the individual.
• Originated in northern Italy due to thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and the classical heritage of Greece and Rome.
• Spread throughout Europe.
• "Renaissance Man" was someone skilled in multiple fields, epitomized by the ideal of a "universal man."
• Baldassare Castiglione's The Courtier described the characteristics of a Renaissance man.

Suleyman the Magnificent

• Ottoman ruler at the height of the empire (1520-1566).
• Nicknamed the Lawgiver in the West.
• Successfully conquered Belgrade (1521) and coastal North African cities.
• Expanded the empire into Austria and Hungary.
• Fought Europeans, Central Asians, and North Africans.
• Created a comprehensive law code for crimes and civil actions.
• Reformed and simplified taxes.
• Streamlined government bureaucracy.
• Trained and educated 30,000 boys in the military (janissaries), converting them to Islam.
• Allowed religious communities (millets) to practice their faith freely.
• Showed interest in multiple areas, including poetry, astronomy, architecture, and history.
• Commissioned significant architecture, like the Mosque of Suleyman, which included schools, a library, a bath, and a hospital.
• Fostered artistic and cultural exchange with Persia and Arabia.
• Problematic succession caused by eliminating capable sons and weak successor.

Isma'il

• Safavid ruler (12 years old) who conquered much of modern-day Iran.
• Declared Shi'a Islam the state religion, uniting his people.
• His actions had a profound impact on Islam, forcing conversions and imposing severe penalties.

Shah Abbas

• Safavid ruler who took the throne in 1587.
• Promoted cultural blending by encouraging the immigration of Europeans, leading to trade, art, and industry exchange.
• Established a new capital city (Isfahan) with artisans from various backgrounds, including Iranian and foreign (e.g. Chinese).
• Mixed Chinese and Persian artistic styles.
• Reformed the military by limiting the power of the military leadership and creating two new armies loyal to him.
• Strengthened his armies with modern artillery.
• His actions, however, contributed to later decline by eliminating capable sons and inheriting incompetent heirs.

Akbar

• Mughal ruler (1556-1605), also known as the Greatest One.
• Consolidated the Mughal Empire, equipping his army with modern artillery.
• Promoted cultural blending in his kingdom, influencing art, education, politics, and language (Persian as high culture, Hindi as common).
• Urdu gained popularity as a mixed language from the diverse Mughal army.
• Had diverse wives, including Hindus, Christians, and Muslims, which reflected religious tolerance within his own palace.
• Reformed land policies and tax laws, including a graduated tax system and abolishing specific taxes that had impacted Hindus and Muslims.
• Generous land grants to bureaucrats, but the practice was not very effective since it did not encourage long term dedication.

Aurangzeb

• Mughal ruler (1658-1707), known for actions opposite to Akbar's.
• Overthrew his brother and father.
• Reverted many of Akbar's policies, including imposing taxes on non-Muslims and restricting Hindus in high government positions.
• His actions alienated Hindus, creating rebellions and depleting resources.

Jahangir

• Son of Akbar .
• Left state affairs to his wife.
• Instilled religious tolerance, despite attempts to promote Islam.

Nur Jahan

• Wife of Jahangir.
• Prominent politician, who appointed her father as prime minister at the Mughal court.
• Favored one son over another, demonstrating influence in the court.