Gunpowder Empires Study Notes PDF

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - \#\# Organized Notes \#\#\# Types of Armies \- \*\*Standing/Professional Army\*\*: Permanent, career soldiers employed full-time by the state. \- \...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - \#\# Organized Notes \#\#\# Types of Armies \- \*\*Standing/Professional Army\*\*: Permanent, career soldiers employed full-time by the state. \- \*\*Conscripted Army (Draft)\*\*: Civilians who are required to serve, often during periods of conflict. \- \*\*Mercenary Army\*\*: Private soldiers for hire, serving for pay rather than allegiance. \#\#\# Ottoman Empire and the Role of Religion \- The Ottoman Empire, like the Mongol Empire, was \*\*multiethnic and multireligious\*\*, spanning three continents and lacking a single unifying identity. \- \*\*Islam was central\*\* to the empire\'s authority, and the state's legitimacy was based on religious foundations. \- Non-Muslims, such as Christians and Jews, were recognized as \*\*\"People of the Book\"\*\* and were generally allowed religious freedom under Ottoman rule. \- Early sultans, such as \*\*Osman I\*\*, expanded the empire in the name of Islam, and \*\*Sultans claimed the title of Caliph\*\*, positioning themselves as successors to the Prophet Muhammad. \#\#\# Suleiman I \- \*\*Suleiman the Magnificent\*\* (also known as \*\*Suleiman the Lawgiver\*\*) was the tenth and longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from 1520 to 1566. \- His administration governed an empire of at least \*\*25 million people\*\*, and he is known for legal reforms that strengthened and centralized the Ottoman state. \#\#\# Hagia Sophia \- Originally built as a \*\*Christian cathedral\*\* by Roman Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople (532 AD). \- After \*\*Mehmed II's conquest of Constantinople in 1453\*\*, it was converted into a mosque, with architectural modifications reflecting Islamic symbolism. \- This conversion demonstrates how the Ottomans consolidated power by adapting prominent structures to assert Islamic authority. \#\#\# Integration of Diverse Peoples \- As the empire expanded, the Ottomans allowed conquered groups to \*\*retain their own customs and religions\*\*. \- \*\*Local leaders\*\* were appointed to help govern, providing a measure of autonomy and facilitating loyalty without forcing complete assimilation. \#\#\# Political Power and Control \- \*\*Is political control only acquired or consolidated by force? Why or why not?\*\* \- Political control isn't solely about using force; it can also be built through \*\*trust, alliances, and inclusivity\*\*. Relying on cooperation and making people feel part of the system can reduce the need for conflict. \- \*\*Do empires still exist in modern times? If yes, what purpose do they serve?\*\* \- Yes, modern empires can exist in different forms, like \*\*influential nations that hold power over smaller states\*\*. These "empires" often promote \*\*trade, security, or cultural exchange\*\* rather than territorial control. \- \*\*What are some ways to exercise control through nonviolent and non-coercive means?\*\* \- Non-coercive control methods include: \- \*\*Diplomacy\*\*: Building alliances and good relations. \- \*\*Cultural influence\*\*: Creating shared values or promoting cultural ties. \- \*\*Incentives\*\*: Offering benefits that make cooperation more appealing than resistance. Why is art from the Ottoman Empire in a museum in New York? 11/18/24 Hegemony is dominance of one country, culture, or social group over others. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Notes 11/19/24 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - safavids Safavids - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Notes 11/22/24 - - - - - - - - - - - - Power 11/25 - - - - - - - - - - - Soft Power Persuasion: - - - Hard Power Coercion: - - How did the Safavid Empire collapse? Like the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire began to decline soon after it had reached its greatest height. Shah Abbas killed or injured his most talented sons \-- just as Suleiman I had done. Shah Abbas feared that his sons would seize power from him. As a result, a weak and ineffective grandson became shah after him. This led to the decline and eventual fall of the Safavid Empire around 1736. mugahls ### **Date: December 3, 2024** ### **Title: Notes on the Mughal Empire** #### **Introduction to Gunpowder Empires** - - - #### **How Did the Mughal Empire Gain Power?** - - - - #### **How Did the Mughal Empire Maintain Power?** - - - - - - - #### **Important Rulers** - - - - - - #### **Achievements of the Mughals** - - - - - - - - - #### **Major Challenges** - - - - - #### **Key Geography to Know** - - - - #### **Historical Timeline Highlights** - - - - - - - - - Mughal Empire - Religious Demographics - - - - - - - - REVIEW! Who was Babur?\ REVIEW! Who was Akbar?\ Up Next! Who was Shah Jahan? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ### **Thesis (Main Argument) of the Poem:** The poem argues that while history celebrates kings and leaders, it often ignores the hard work of the ordinary people who actually built the great monuments and empires. ### **Relation to the Taj Mahal:** The poem connects to the Taj Mahal because it reminds us that while Shah Jahan is remembered for building the Taj Mahal, it was actually thousands of workers who did the difficult labor. These workers, like those in the poem, are often forgotten in history. Just as the poem asks who built famous monuments, we should also ask about the workers who built the Taj Mahal. When you look at the Taj Mahal, the way the big dome sits perfectly in the middle with the gardens and pools around it makes everything feel calm and balanced, like it's meant to be seen from every angle. ### **Notes on the Mughal Empire and Related Topics** #### **How Was Akbar Able to Build Such an Immense Empire?** - - - #### **What Happened After Shah Jahan Perished?** - - #### **Who Was Aurangzeb (Are-ong-zeb)?** - - - ### **Comparison: Akbar vs. Aurangzeb** #### **How Might Geography Have Played a Role in Their Reigns?** - - - #### **Aurangzeb\'s Personal Qualities and Political Policies** - - - - - ### **Case Study: Shivaji and the Marathas** - - - - ### **The Mughal Empire's Strength and European Interactions** - - ### **Aurangzeb's Role in the Fall of the Mughal Empire** - - - - - ### **Human Rights and Global Observances** #### **What Are Human Rights?** - - #### **How Do We Prevent Power Abuse?** - - - ### **Human Rights Day: December 10** - - ### **Arundhati Roy: Activism and Writing** - - -