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Jul 27, 1299
Ottoman Empire Forms
Following the decline of the Byzantine empire, several smaller Arab empire sprang up. One was led by Osman I, who led bands of semi-nomadic Turks to become religious warriors, claimed Anatolia, and announced his independence in 1299, establishing the Ottoman Empire. Osman also created the Janissaries, which would form the basis of his empire's military for centuries to come. -
Aug 1, 1451
Mehmed II's Rule Begins
Born on March 30, 1432, Mehmed II (known as The Conqueror) took power in this month. His father, Murad II, abdicated the throne to him when he was 12, in 1444. His father later regained the throne for several years, until 1451 when he once again gave the throne to his son, much older now. His second reign lasted until May of 1481, when he died. -
May 29, 1453
Constantinople Captured
In this year, Mehmed II captured Constantinople after a 52-day siege and renamed it Istanbul. This more or less marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, as well as an extreme gain for the Ottoman Empire. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Reaches America
Although Culumbus's voyage to the New World had very little to do with the Islamic Empires directly, they would be affected greatly by its results, just as the rest of the world would be. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, for example, tobacco and coffee became popular in the Ottoman empire. The new food crops discovered thanks to the Columbian Exchange boosted the population in each of the empires greatly, as it did elsewhere. -
Nov 6, 1494
Suleiman I Takes Power
On this day, Suleiman I took power in the Ottoman Empire. During his rule, he expanded the Ottoman's land holdings significantly, only having his expansion checked by his failure to capture Vienna in 1529. He ruled over the military height of the Ottoman empire, as well as its era of naval supremacy. His rule ended with his death on Septermber 6, 1566 -
Jan 1, 1501
Safavid Empire Forms
a BBC article on the Safavids.In 1501, Ismail I formed the Safavid Empire. The empire came from an older sect of Islam, and claimed independence after the Ottomans outlawed Shi'a Islam. See also: -
Aug 23, 1514
The Battle of Chaldiran
On this day, the Ottoman Turks defeated the Safavids in a battle of Chaldiran. The Safavids had declined the use of the developing gunpowder technologies, and ended up losing to the Sunni Ottomans, who feared the spread of their Shiite religion. The victory gave the Ottomans control of the immediate area, but also set of a series of wars between the two Islamic nations. -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur Dies
On this day. Zahir al-din Muhammad, more commonly known as Babur, died. Babur was important because he laid the foundation of the Mughal empire by conquering land in India, though he cared little for the land itself and likely considered it little more than a stepping stone towards a better, more powerful empire that he never acquired. -
Jan 1, 1556
Akbar Takes Power
Akbar, Babur's grandson, took power in this year. He centralized Mughal government and did not accept challenges to his power, and encourages a "divine faith" formed by focusing on the ruler. See also: Akbar. -
Jan 1, 1580
Jesuit Priests Visit Akbar
At some point during this year, Jesuit priests from Portugal visited akbar in the Mughal court, with the intention of converting him. Akbar accepted them into his court, but did not convert, loathe to commit to an exclusive faith that would alienate his subjects. -
Abbas the Great Takes Power
Abbas I was placed into power on this day, at 16, after a coup. He gained a power of his own, despite being placed as a puppet, and helped the Safavid Empire regain some of its former glory. See also: Abbas I of Persia -
Population Growth
As a result of the Columbian Exchange, the populations of the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire, and India were increasing greatly. By 1600, the populations had reached 28 million, 6 million, and 135 million respectively. In all but the Ottoman Empire, the population continued growing, though the Ottoman population loss was mostly due to loss of territory. -
Taj Mahal Completed
At some point in this year, the Taj Mahal, commissioned by the Mughal Shah Jahan, was completed. Even today it is a crowning piece of Muslim art, attracting millions of tourists. -
Aurangzeb Takes Power
Aurangzeb, during his rule, managed to expand the Mughal Empire and ruled during its apex. However, he reversed Akbar's policy of religious tolerance, all but waging war on Hinduism in the Mughal Empire, and the empire declined sharply after his rule. -
Safavid Empire Crushed
In this year, a band of Afghan tribesmen sieged the Safavid city of Isfahan and forced the Shah to abdicate the throne, effectively ending the empire. It would later experience a brief revival, but it was incredibly short lived. -
Bahadur Shah II Dies
Although the Mughal Dynasty technically ended earlier with his exile in 1858, this is the day when the last of the Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, died, officially ending the Mughal Empire for good. -
Ottoman Empire Ends
A commonly agreed on date for the end of the Ottoman empire. After centuries of decline and attempts at reform, the Ottoman empire failed to survive in the new, post-World War world. -
Twelfth Imam Goes Into Hiding
According to the sect of Twelver Shiism, later forming the basis of the Safavid empire, this years is what the twelfth imam went into hiding. He supposedly survives to this day, and will one day return to restore Islamic rule and establish peace.
