In the Middle Ages: Muslim Empires
In the Middle Ages, muslim empires were among the largest and most powerful in history. They ruled over large portions of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. These dynasties shared many characteristics, including a strong Islamic cultural tradition, an economic emphasis on agriculture and the production of goods, a sophisticated trade network stretching from Africa to Southeast Asia, and a commitment to the spread of Islam around the world.
The Origins and Rise of Islam
The Muslim faith originated in a region that Rome and Persia had never conquered, and it eventually spread to become the dominant religion in much of Medieval Europe. The early dynasties that grew out of the religion were ruled by "caliphs" who taught and guided followers in the teachings of Muhammad.
Key Muslim Dynasties
During the period between the death of Muhammad in 632 CE and the Ottoman conquest in 1453, several Muslim dynasties rose to prominence. The most prominent of these empires were the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal dynasties. They unified vast territories spanning the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and northern Africa.
Shared Characteristics of Muslim Dynasties
These dynasties shared many characteristics, from their religious orientations and traditions to the structures they built. In addition, they all drew their revenues from taxation of agrarian populations and used an extensive system of trade routes to connect Europe with the Middle East and other regions of the Islamic world. Each empire also had its own distinctive features, ranging from the Turkic origins of the Ottomans to the Shia nature of the Safavids. Some of these features, such as the ubiquity of mosques, would continue to be important throughout the centuries.
The Three Most Important Muslim Empires
The three most important muslim empires in the early modern period were the Ottoman, Safavid in Iran, and the Mughal in India. Each drew on an extensive trade network to connect Europe with the Middle East and other areas of the Islamic world, a connection that was made possible by the advent of firearms and a long tradition of Turco-Persian culture. At the heart of each empire's success lay a highly disciplined military, a political system based on the concept of maslaha (common good), and a commitment to spreading the religion of Islam through the world. While each had its own specific problems, they all were characterized by common traits: failure to establish a firm succession process, difficulties in domination by warrior aristocracies, and the challenges of dealing with religious minorities.
Use of Turkic Slaves and the Role of Sharia
Another common characteristic of these dynasties was the use of Turkic slaves to fill the ranks of their armies. The 'Abbasid caliph al-Mu'tasim, for example, purchased and trained these mercenaries to serve as loyal and obedient troops in battle. These mercenaries served as a vital link between the various dynasties in their territories, providing security and support for their military campaigns. They were a source of wealth and a way for the empire to expand its reach, but they were also susceptible to violence. The sharia (Islamic law) and the ulema (jurists) in these dynasties were well versed in local customs and were able to apply their laws to different groups without direct intervention from the central power. This was a remarkable achievement because it allowed the law to be applied locally, in accordance with a sense of community, and without ignoring the rights of non-Muslims or erasing their religious diversity.
