Modern

Muslim World

BAHU3073
Session 3
Moderinity of Muslim
Civilization

Journey of the Turks

The great Muslim civilization-Ottomans
One of the most robust and long lasting dynasties in the world history.

The superpower ruled large areas of The Middle East, Eastern Europe and Northern
Africa for over 600 years.

The Sultan of the Empire would have absolute religious and political authority over
his people.

Historians regard the Ottoman Empire a source of great regional stability and
security as well as great contributor in fields of art, science, religion and culture.
Origins of the Empire
In 1299, Osman I, the leader of Anatolian Turkish tribes, founded the Ottoman
Empire. The term Ottoman was hence derived from his name which was Uthman in
Arabic.

Under his leadership and later under the leadership of Orhan, Murad I and Bayezid
I, the Turks set up a formal government system and expanded the empire territory
greatly till.

In 1453, Mehmed II (the conqueror) led the Ottoman Turks and seized
Constantinople, the capital of Byzantine Empire and finished their reign of 1000
years.
Origin cont...
The city seized from Byzantine was named Istanbul “City of Islam” and was made
the capital of the Empire.

It became a dominant center of international trade and culture.

Bayezid II became the new sultan in 1481 after the death of Mehmed and his son
Selim took over after him conquering Syria, Arabia, Palestine and Egypt for the
Empire.

The Empire reached its peak between 1520 to 1566 under the reign of Suleiman
who was titled “ The Magnificent”. The period marked as the one with great power,
stability and wealth for the empire.
Origin cont...

Besides territorial expansion, Suleiman reformed the legal system and worked on
expansions in the fields of art and literature. His time as the ruler marked the
empire as one of the most just ones across the entire expansion.

Because of his learned nature he was considered a religious leader along with this
political prowess as the ruler. He built more schools and established many artistic
societies.

Some of the world’s most spectacular building and paintings were created during
his reign. He himself was an accomplished poet and writer. Some of his versus are
still used as turkish proverbs.
Ottoman Empire
at its Hight
Topkapi
Topkapi palace was usually the
residential place of Sultan in Istanbul.

It contained dozens of gardens,

courtyards along with residential and
administrative buildings.

The sultan of the time would keep

switching chambers every night for the
fear of assassination.

Coffeehouses
The first coffeehouse opened in Istanbul in 1555. They
were used as waiting areas as the common public
waited to go to Mosque for prayer and as an idle
meeting place. But later the coffeehouses started being
used as club houses for intellects to get together and
discuss literary developments of the time.
Ottoman Empire and the other religion
In the 1530s, over 80 percent of the population in Ottoman Europe was not
Muslim.

Ottoman Turks were tolerant of other religions. Non-Muslims were categorized by

a millet system, in which they were offered limited power to control their affairs.

Dhimmis paid two special taxes: jizya (a tribute or a poll tax) and kharaj (land tax).
Originally it was levied only on free men who could earn and afford to pay it. But
later on, ministers, rabbinical representatives, the chief rabbi, teachers,
slaughterers, and a few Jewish families in Istanbul were excluded. Many Christian
families obtained a decree from the sultan that made them exempt.
Unfavorable Practices of Ottoman Empire
Fratricide- Under the rule of Sultan Salim a new policy emerged, which included the
murder of brothers.

On crowning of new Sultan, his brothers would be imprisoned and on the birth of a
male heir the brothers and their sons would be murdered.

Devshirme- this system was created in the fourteenth century which required the
conquered christians to give 20% of their male children in the service of the state.
Where they would be forced to accept Islam and become slaves. It lasted till the
end of 17th century.
Decline of the Empire
Around 1600s, Europe strengthened rapidly with the dawn of industrial revolution.
Ottomans had to compete with Americans and Indians in trade. Their poor
leadership and pressure from competition lead to the weakening of the empire.

In 1683 the defeat in battle of Vienna added to their waning status.

During next century on going revolts resulted in Empire losing some of its key
regions. Greece won their independence from the Ottomans in 1830 and in 1878
Congress of Berlin declared independence of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria.

During the Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913 the empire lost nearly all territories in
Europe
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide was the most damning and contravercial event associated
with the Ottomans.

In 1915 turkish leaders gave orders to massacre Armenians living in the Empire.

Most scholars believe about 1.5 million Armenians were killed as a result of these
orders.

Turkish government denied the responsibility for the genocide for years, even now
it is illegal to talk about the even in Turkey.
The Fall
During world war I, the Ottomans already at the verge of the fall sided with the
central powers i.e. Germany, Austria, Hungary) were defeated. Under a treaty most
of the territories under Ottoman’s were given to Britain, France, Greece and Russia.

But the Sultanate remained till 1922 when the title of sultan was officially
eliminated and turkey was declared a republic in 1923.

A total of 36 Sultans ruled the empire for over 600 years. The Otoman Turks are
mostly remembered for their powerful military, ethnic diversity, artistic ventured
etc.

Modern mostly secular Turkish Republic is still by many scholars is thought of as a

continuation of the Otoman Empire.
 1. Non-muslims even though
being in great numbers were
content with Ottoman Muslims

Discussion being their leaders. Why do you

think was that so?
2. What could be the other
reasons of fall of Ottomans?
3. What does Secular mean?