Transcript Imperial Islamic Society

Imperial Islamic Society
Despite differences, there are
striking similarities in the
development and decline of
Islamic societies
The Dynastic State
• All were military creations
• Prestige/authority a result of the personal
piety/military prowess of rulers and their
families
• Power reflected steppe traditions
Role of Women
• Though Muslim theorists agreed that
women should play no role in public
affairs, women did play important roles in
Islamic society
Agriculture & Trade
• Food Crops
• Tobacco
• Population
growth
• Cities remain
important as
hubs of trade
Religion in the Empires
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Christian presence in India
Status of religious minorities
Promotion of Islam
Cultural patronage of emperors
– Istanbul
– Isfahan
– Fatehpur Sikri
Islamic Empires in Transition
• Radical changes between the 16th and 18th
centuries
– Safavids disappear after Afghan attacks in
1722
– After 1707, Mughal India experienced
provincial rebellions/foreign invasions,
followed by British rule
– By 1700, Ottomans were losing territory and
losing control as European & Russian states
began to apply pressure
Decline of the Empires
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Dynastic Decline
Religious tensions
Economic stagnation
Military decline
Cultural insularity
Cultural conservatism
– The printing press