Hunt For Muslim Empires

Introduction

Using these links, answer the following questions about the three major Muslim Empires. Copy and paste the questions into a Google Doc and share with me at alesia.ivers@jordandistrict.org.

The assignment is due at the end of class. 

Task

Questions

  1. Who was Aurangzeb and what area did he control?
    How did Aurangzeb's military campaigns affect the Mughal Empire?
    Using the link on the right side of the page under titled "Religious Policies" answer the following: List 3 ways Aurangzeb showed his religious intolerance to Hindus 



  2. Which Muslim empire was ruled by Suleiman the Magnificent? What was Suleiman known as in his homeland?How long did he rule and was was his effect on the size of the empire? 



  3. What evidence is given to show the status of Roxelana (was she respected, weak, low status). Provide at least 2 pieces of evidence. 



  4. According to the visitor, what was the condition of the sultana's living quarters? Provide evidence of her lifestyle based on this primary source. 



  5. According to the source, who are the Janissaries? What is their job? How are the Janissaries able to face trying circumstances (what to they do that makes their will stronger according to the author)? How are the Janissaries ranked (social, wealth) within their ranks? 



  6. How does Lady Montagu view the small-pox vaccination used by the Turks? How does she believe her fellow Europeans would use the vaccination information? 



  7. Babar is the great grandson of which of Genghis Khan's descendents? 



  8. Who were the Safavids? What branch of Islam did they adopt and how did they want to advance it? Who was the first Safavid ruler? What is the title of the Safavid ruler (the word for king)? How did the Safavids try to create unity amongst the Persians? 



  9. What type of government was the Safavid Empire? In what present day country was the major part of the Safavid Empire? What was the capital city? 



  10. Where was the Mughal empire? What is the title of the Mughal ruler (think Aladdin)? What Sultanate was formed when Muslims invaded at the end of the 12th century? 



  11. What Empire did the Ottoman Empire replace as the major power in the Eastern Mediterranean (moment of silence, please)? 



  12. Why did Akbar start a new faith and what was it called? How did Akbar win loyalty of those over whom he ruled? How would his marriage have helped establish his legitimacy as a ruler? 



  13. Who was the first of the emperors of north India called Mughals? Where is the word Mughal derived from? How did Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, promote a golden age of painting at the Mughal court? 



  14. What were the two key tasks Abbas I faced when he took power? What evidence is given that Isfahan was a thriving capital during Abbas's power? What artistic achievements were made under his rule? 



  15. What is Sufism? How is Sufism related to Islam? What is its meaning? 


Process

Conclusion

The Big Question

What are some similarities and differences between the three Muslim empires? Were there weaknesses common to all of the empires? Identify them. What were the differences in the social and economic organization of the Ottomans, Safavids, and the Mughals?