Overview: Making of Empire

Transcription

1 Part 1: Islam, Osman and the Early Ottomans (Sept. 10) Part 2: The Taking of Constantinople and the Making of Empire: Mehmet II (Sept ) Part 3: Defining the State:Becoming, Being Ottoman [15 th C.] (Sept. 17) Part 4: Defining the State: Suleiman the Magnificent (Sept. 19)

2 Part 1: Islam, Osman and the Early Ottomans (Sept. 10)

3 Great Events Demand Explanations how can we explain world-shaking events like the rise of the Ottomans? [Quataert] Not an event, rather evolution No single moment agreed upon as birth of Ottomans No inevitable trajectory

4 Historical conjuncture linked to Byzantine empire: eastern legacy former Roman Empire Challenged commercially by Italians, Genoans Attracted Crusaders with its wealth Constantinople sacked, looted, plundered 1204

5 Also attraction for Turcomen nomadic tribes from Central Asia: Focus on Anotolia Frontier Rich agricultural land, pasture Located between Mediterranean and Black Seas Carrefour for commercial traffic (caravans)

6 Religions: Byzantines, including those in Anatolia: Orthodox Christian Mongols: (Central and Southern Asia) converting to (relatively) new religion of Islam by c.1200 included grandson of Ghengis Khan

7 [ Ghazan, Mongol Prince, studying the Quran (left); his minted coins, showing Islamic (Arabic) decoration

8 Turcomen nomads moving out of Central Asia: shamanistic : believed in priests or people with special powers, able to access non-human spirit world through altered states of consciousness Involved different gods (polytheism), practices of sacrifice, drumming ceremonies Rooted in nature, totemism (attributing god-like power to particular animals, worshiping them) Suited to people who moved seasonally, sometimes over great distances

9 Shamanism of Khakas Turks: ritual of feeding the Ulugh Khurtuyakh Tas [Great Stone Mother of Mothers] (Askiz Region of Khakas Republic ) [

10 Shaman s Drum (early 20 th Century): Cosmological design note juxtaposition of Humans, animals, nature [

11 As Turcomen/Turkmen nomads moved into Central Asia, came into contact with Islam, gradually began conversion Oghuz Turks among them Under Seljuk dynasty, moved into Anatolia, established fiefdoms (beyliks) Intermixed, intermarried local Christians

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13 Seljuk Dynasty, late 11 th Century: incorporated Anatolia [

14 Islam: Born in similar society of nomads of the desert, rather than of the steppe Also polytheists, idolaters Believed in mysticism, power of nature [gods elements of nature] Worshipped at the Kabba, Mecca annually Society characterized by tribal warfare Also by rise of commerce, urban centres Mecca, Medina

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16 Mohammed and the Rise of Islam: Video: Islam-Empire of Faith. Pt 1 The Awakening New faith appealing to many: Monotheism ( there is but one God, Allah) might address destructive, constant warfare between tribes Concern for social welfare, plight of urban poor, women prostitutes and abandonned wives, orphaned children, mistreated slaves Concept of equality in the eyes of Allah Mohammed the Prophet : charismatic, trusted

17 Important Concept: Wealth, power gifts from Allah Those fortunate enough to be so recognized, had responsibility to protect, assist the more vulnerable (slaves, poor, women) Corollary: the wealthy and the powerful were, according to Islam, favoured by Allah therefore they should be respected and followed

18 New Faith attracted many followers: Very success marked threat to those whose interests threatened (wealthy merchants of Mecca, powerful local Bedouin Chiefs) Mohammed and followers forced to fight to protect integrity of new religion Withdrew to Medina (hijra), rallied army, successfully returned to Mecca: defeated enemies, Destroyed idols at Kabba

19 Unlike traditional warfare, did NOT loot, plunder and take slaves: incorporated those willing to follow Chiefs of surrounding tribes began to convert Faith spread throughout region

20 Problem of Succession: Following Mohammed s death, no agreed upon process of succession Bedouin society: leader from important tribal family but position would be contested strongest, able to attract most followers would normally be successful Mohammed s successor: from his immediate (blood) family? Or: from his tribe (one most able to attract support)? Led to continued warfare Ultimately, led to movement out of Arabian Peninsula

21 Expansion under Muhammad, /A.H Expansion during the Rashidun Caliphate, /A.H

22 Islam evolves: [Map]: expansion into Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa produced competing states, regionalized forms of Islam This was Islam of the Sword : fought in context where power determined by tribal competition, warfare Warriors fought in name of Allah - ghazzi Many equivalent of mercenaries but nevertheless, successful conquering was in name of Islam

23 Movement into Central Asia: Intersected with Mongols, Turkomen and others Turks are of interest here [Quataert] notes that because of shamanism practised by Turks, Turco Islam unlike Arab Islam [origins in Arabian peninsula] BUT tends to overlook (or underestimate importance of fact ) that Arab Islam was itself born of society similar to Turkomen

24 Important concept: Islamization means by which people, regions, states become Muslim is process Even in its origins, Islam creation of process those who accepted new religion did so by understanding it through prism (framework) of their own religion Indeed, religion itself responded to needs of that society Important aspect of ability to move into many different cultures, religions

25 Corollary: Attempts to restrict the fluidity, ability too adapt become problematic Will see this repeatedly in context of Ottoman Empire

26 Video excerpt: Islam Empire of Faith Pt. III the Ottomans

27 Significant points: Among various Turkish beyliks (families) in Anatolia, family of Osman emerged more respected, more powerful than others Significance of Osman s Dream : a myth, legend only written down in 15 th century [see Additional Readings] Establishes legitimacy of conquest and power in terms of alliance with Allah Also establishes ongoing partnership between religion and warfare (between the ulamma and the ghazzi)

28 Expansion: Initially, expansion limited to west eastern regions now Islamic (Turks, Mongols) West was still (largely) Christian, wealthy Taking of Bursa: watershed Marked beginning of sedentarization of nomadic society Note: used Byzantine scribes (literate), built on Byzantine bureaucracy

29 [narrator] speaks of new Muslim Civilisation deliberately associating it with urban, literate population Important: Ottomans [ followers of Osman ] remain primarily traditional: nomadic, ghazzi BUT now developing new, sedentary lifestyle urban, literate Question: where is religion centered? Who will speak for Islam nomadic, rural mystics? Or urban, literate ulamma? Critical moment, critical questions

30 New Environment: Surrounding beyliks (Muslim) remain potential rivals Tradition would have them challenge for power on death of Osman, his successors or whenever they felt leadership was not in their interests New Ottomans developed variety of relations with Christian neighbours: intermarriage, engaged as guides, shared religious ceremonies, celebrations

31 Also engaged as soldiers: Sometimes determined by mutual interests, local level As state developed, became formalized Devsherme system: recruitment of children from newly conquered Balkans region [following on taking of Constantinople see below] system of taking (almost like taxation) young children from Christian families Schooled in Istanbul, become Muslim: enter various strata of Ottoman society

32 All are workers as stage in their training Some then move into administration Others move into warrior corps: Janissaries For state, means of acquiring loyal servants in administration and army For families of children taken into system, means of assuring future for children For society, means of allowing movement between classes, religions, regions: ultimately helped integrate new Christian conquest states

33 Janissaries: Turkish term yeniçeri means new troops Original source from war captives soon supplemented with devshirme conscripts - Began under Murad I, late 14 th c - response to warriors seeking autonomy in region of Thrace - Fear of dependency on troops with local loyalties - tax levied on war booty 1/5 th of slaves became property of Sultan - Reportedly some 12,000 in 1473

34 - Highly trained, disciplined force, - First observed and admired by Europeans at conquest of Constantinople [below] - called the scourge of Europe - During 14 th -15 th centuries: forced celibacy - Considered elite : class set apart

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36 Impact: - Establishing of janissaries seen as betrayal to traditional powers - creating competition -- ultimately, replacement -- for ghazi military power