Empire Origins
This ghazi leader founded the Ottoman state in the late 1200s.
Who was Osman?
The supreme ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
What is the sultan?
This Mughal emperor’s harsh religious policies led to rebellions across the empire.
Who was Aurangzeb?
This Safavid founder captured Tabriz in 1501 and declared himself shah.
Who was Shah Isma'il?
This leader founded the Mughal Empire after winning the Battle of Panipat in 1526.
Who was Babur?
Akbar created this new belief system blending several religions.
What is the Divine Faith?
This group of warriors fought for Islam on the Byzantine frontier and helped create the Ottoman Empire.
Who were the ghazis?
These elite slave soldiers served the Ottoman sultan for life.
Who were the Janissaries?
This naval battle in 1571 saw the Ottomans defeated by a Spanish-led European fleet.
What is the Battle of Lepanto?
These Safavid warriors were called “Red Heads” because of their distinctive hats.
Who were the kizilbash?
Akbar strengthened his empire by forming alliances with these Indian warrior princes.
Who were the Rajputs?
This Ottoman system allowed religious communities to govern themselves under their own laws.
What is the millet system?
This Safavid religious order, founded by Safi al-Din, later helped create the Safavid Empire.
What was the Safavid religious order?
The sultan’s chief administrator and advisor.
What is the grand vizier?
The Safavid Empire declined after the death of this powerful ruler in 1629
Who was Shah Abbas the Great?
This Safavid ruler moved the capital to Isfahan and led the empire’s Golden Age.
Who was Shah Abbas the Great?
This Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Who was Shah Jahan?
The Safavids made this branch of Islam the official religion of their empire.
What is Shi’ah Islam?
This Central Asian conqueror defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Ankara in 1402.
Who was Timur (Tamerlane)?
Ottoman society was divided between the ruling class and this group of ordinary subjects.
Who were the reaya?
This Mughal ruler imprisoned his father and ruled with strict Islamic policies.
Who was Aurangzeb?
This major battle in 1514 ended Safavid expansion westward after defeat by the Ottomans.
What is the Battle of Çaldiran?
This Mughal emperor expanded the empire and ruled from 1556–1605
Who was Akbar?
This Mughal policy under Emperor Akbar allowed people of different religions such as Hindus and Muslims to practice their beliefs freely and even serve in government positions.
What is religious tolerance?
This Mughal ruler descended from Timur and conquered Delhi in 1526.
Who was Babur?
These religious communities within the Ottoman Empire handled their own education, courts, and taxes.
What are millets?
The Ottoman Empire officially ended in 1923 when this modern nation was created.
What is the Republic of Turkey?
This Safavid capital became one of the most beautiful cities in the world under Shah Abbas.
What is Isfahan?
This Mughal empire reached its largest size under this ruler who later faced widespread revolts.
Who was Aurangzeb?
This famous Mughal monument made of marble and precious stones was built in Agra.
What is the Taj Mahal?