Seljuks History Quiz

Questions and Answers

Where were the Seljuks located?

Central Asia, established base in Iran and Afghanistan

What was the capital of the Seljuks?

Isfahan

What is the language of culture for the Seljuks?

Persian

Who was the Sultan that expanded power into Syria and drove out the Fatimids?

Malik Shah Signup and view all the answers

Who ruled after the Seljuks became weaker and brought the Abbasid caliph to Egypt?

Saladin Signup and view all the answers

Who were Saladin's major rivals?

Sinan, leader of the Assassins and Christian crusaders Signup and view all the answers

What are Mamelukes?

Turkish military slaves Signup and view all the answers

What does Ghazi refer to?

Warriors for Islam, formed military societies Signup and view all the answers

What is a Janissary?

A member of an elite force of soldiers in the Ottoman Empire Signup and view all the answers

What does Devshirme refer to?

The policy of taking Christian children to be trained as Muslim soldiers Signup and view all the answers

What does Millet mean?

Religious communities Signup and view all the answers

What are the four social classes with appointed rule?

Men of the Pen, Men of the Sword, Men of Negotiation, Men of Husbandry Signup and view all the answers

What defines the Safavid Empire?

Members of an Islamic religious brotherhood, leader - Abbas the Great, religion - Shiite Muslims, military strength - powerful military modeled on Ottoman Janissaries, government - centralized Signup and view all the answers

Who was Isma'il?

Leader of the redheads, conquered present day Iran, took the title of Shah Signup and view all the answers

What is Shah Abbas known for?

The Great, established a centralized government Signup and view all the answers

Who was Osman?

Built a small state in Anatolia, began the rule of Ottomans, most successful Ghazi Signup and view all the answers

What did Murad II accomplish?

Restored power of Ottoman military, defeated the Venetians Signup and view all the answers

What is Mehmet II known for?

Conquered Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia Signup and view all the answers

What does Selim the Grim refer to?

Overthrew father, killed brothers and nephews, known as Yafuz 'the inflexible', defeated Safavids Signup and view all the answers

Who is Suleiman known as?

The Magnificent for wealth and the Lawgiver because of the Code of Laws Signup and view all the answers

What defines the Ottomans?

Leader - Suleiman, religion - Sunni Muslims, military strength - Janissaries, government - absolute power Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Mughals?

People who invaded India Signup and view all the answers

Who was Babur?

11-year-old boy, inherited a kingdom from Genghis Khan and Tamerlane Signup and view all the answers

What is Akbar the Great known for?

Babur's grandson, religious toleration, and centralized government Signup and view all the answers

Who was Jahangir?

Akbar's son, grasper of the world, weak ruler, created conflict between Sikhs and Mughals Signup and view all the answers

Who was Nur Jahan?

Jahangir's wife, Persian princess, rejected religious tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What did Aurangzeb do?

Shah Jahan's 3rd son, killed oldest & put father in jail, oppressed the people, policed his subjects, drained resources Signup and view all the answers

What is Shah Jahan known for?

Son of Jahangir, AKA Prince Khurram, killed all rivals, built the Taj Mahal - 'Dream in Marble' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Seljuks

Originated in Central Asia, with an established base in Iran and Afghanistan.
Capital city was Isfahan.
Persian served as the language of culture.

Malik Shah

Prominent Sultan who emerged after civil wars against family members.
Led efforts to drive Byzantines from most of Anatolia after winning the Battle of Manzikert.
Expanded influence into Syria, displacing the Fatimids.

Saladin

Ruled following the decline of the Seljuks and brought Abbasid caliphate to Egypt.
Major rivals included Sinan, leader of the Assassins, and Christian crusaders.

Military Structure

Mamelukes, a class of Turkish military slaves.
Ghazi, Islamic warriors formed military societies.
Janissaries were elite soldiers in the Ottoman Empire.
Devshirme was the policy of recruiting Christian children to be trained as Muslim soldiers.

Four appointed social classes:
- Men of the Pen
- Men of the Sword
- Men of Negotiation
- Men of Husbandry

Safavid Empire

Membership based on an Islamic religious brotherhood; prominent leader was Abbas the Great.
Predominantly Shiite Muslims with a powerful military influenced by Ottoman janissaries.
Centralized government structure.

Key Leaders

Isma'il: Also known as leader of the redheads, conquered modern-day Iran and claimed the title of Shah.
Shah Abbas: Known as "The Great," established a centralized government in the Safavid Empire.
Osman: Founder of the Ottoman state, successful as a Ghazi in Anatolia.
Murad II: Restored Ottoman military power and defeated the Venetians.

Notable Ottoman Conquests

Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, transforming the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
Selim the Grim overthrew his father and defeated Safavid forces, earning the nickname "Yafuz" meaning "the inflexible."
Suleiman the Magnificent, known for his wealth and legal reforms, provided support to the Janissaries.

Mughal Empire

Mughals were invaders from Central Asia who entered India.
Babur, at age 11, inherited a kingdom from Genghis Khan and Tamerlane.
Akbar the Great, Babur's grandson, was noted for religious toleration and governmental centralization.
Jahangir, his son, was an ineffective ruler, causing conflict with Sikhs.
Nur Jahan, Jahangir's wife, was a Persian princess who opposed religious tolerance.
Aurangzeb, son of Shah Jahan, was known for oppressive governance and resource depletion.
Shah Jahan, also known as Prince Khurram, is remembered for constructing the Taj Mahal, referred to as "Dream in Marble."

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Seljuks, their capital, language, and historical significance. This quiz covers key aspects of Seljuk culture and their influence in Central Asia and beyond. Perfect for history enthusiasts!