Introduction
Before the formation of states, the areas were always divided into realms. These were mainly vast lands that would always be formed primarily through the acts of acquisition. In the process of acquiring these new pieces of lands under their control, the emperors would always require that the inhabitants of these areas would always have to conform to their rules and ways of life. These may include issues such as religion, culture and even economic activities. The rise of Islamic empires throughout the world played a significant role when it came to matters of the spread of Islam throughout the world. This paper will compare and contrast the Ottoman and the Mughal Empire.
In order to have a real perception of these empires, it is paramount that one first gets a brief history of these empires in order to be able and compare and contrast them.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire may be considered to have come into existence in the late 13th Century, and its reign ended in the early 18th Century (Shaw117). All through its rule, it was a state that was headed by a sole emperor at a time but was met with difficulties when it came to the issue of succession of the Emperor. The empire was typically in a constant state of expansion as it was always conquering new lands. For instance, it may be traced to have begun at the modern day Turkey and spread down to the coastal strip of Africa. These areas were mainly obtained by means of seizure and attacks on the neighboring lands. The thought of the Ottoman Empire led to the neighbors always being afraid of being attacked and conquered. This is because their reputation had spread and hence they were highly feared.
Various changes are considered to be the main reasons for the decline of the Ottoman Empire. These may include actions such as the expansion of the European nations, the loss of economic power, the decentralization of the empire and the lack of the powerful leaders to steer the nation to the heights it was at. These led to the breakage of the empire into states.
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire came into existence in the early 14th Century and lasted until the mid-17th Century (Richards 7). The Empire ran through the Asian continent and was constantly expanding over the years. The Emperor was always in the process of always trying to ensure that his lands increased in size in order to ensure that its economic value was always maintained or improved.The new properties were mainly acquired through acts of conquest and diplomacy. The fact was that the emperor required that his subjects paid allegiance to the emperor and followed all his provisions.
As the empire increased in size, the matters did not augur well with many members of the society (Richards 203). The issues led to constant revolts and the lack of the economic power that reduced its prominence in the area.
Similarities and Difference between the Ottoman and Mughal Empire
Even though these empires were in different geographical regions, the way they carried out their activities, were similar. This similarity came when it came to issues of the mode of the ruling, Faith, Policies, Economies, and Culture.
Faith
In both the two empires, the members of the empire professed the Islamic Faith. The emperors were both Muslims, and they did all in their power to ensure that the members of the empire were Muslims (Richards 15). For instance, in the Ottoman Empire, the citizens of the newly conquered lands were always required to adopt Islam unless in certain exceptional circumstances were the emperor allowed for the members of these areas to maintain their religion. However, in most instances, the churches that were found in the new lands were always turned into mosques (Powers 519). This was the similar case when it came to the Mughal Empire. The rise and spread of the Mughal Empire may be considered to be the main reason why there has been an escalation in Islamic prominence in the Asian continent. For instance, Pakistan has a huge number of Muslims all due to the rise of the Mughal Empire.
However, as the empire tended to increase in size, they were met with the difficulty of converting each and every individual.Consequently, the Emperors were in most instances forced to have in place the toleration policies in order to reduce the number of revolts. For instance, as the Emperor of the Mughal Empire conquered these lands, he opted for diplomacy in order to maintain the peace and easier control of these lands. Diplomacy included actions of the subjects maintaining their faith but after agreeing to certain terms and outright owing allegiance to the Emperor.
Economic Policies
These empires mainly engaged in trade activities with their neighbors and even in the further lands. For instance, both the empires ensured that they controlled the trade routes which not only gave them the security that they needed but also increased their economic value regarding tax collection(Powers521). In addition, both these empires engaged in agricultural activities which helped them in terms of feeding their population and troops and further were able to trade with their partners well (Shaw 234). In addition, both the empires collected taxes from their subjects and the other rulers who paid allegiance to their empires. These taxes were always determined as per the requirements of the emperor. For example, the Ottoman emperor required that the non-Muslims paid their taxes in the form of children who were to be converted into Islam and further treated as slaves.
Downfall
These Empires fell all due to the same reason. These included actions such as the rise of other nations, reduction of their economic power and at times the death of their abled leaders. The manner in which these nations lost their prominence was mainly an issue since they tended to mistreat their subjects (Richards 52). For example, the downfall of the Mughal Empire was hastened by the fact that it had lost favor in the eyes of the members of the public. In addition, the Rajputs were against the Muslim rule that had been bestowed on them whereas they were Hindus. This, in essence, led to the loss of favor and further lack of a comfortable environment for the rise of the empire. Consequently, a lot of resources were used to quell these revolts rather than to fund the expansion of the empire.
Conclusion
Conclusively, Islamic states have always been in existence for many years, and even though they may have been in different geographical areas and may have been in different times, they still have similar characteristics in one way and the other. These may include issues of how they were formed and acquired, how they were ruled and the cultures of these areas. These characteristics may be considered to be the reason for their rise whereas in some instances, it is the reason for their downfall.
Works Cited
Richards, Chelsea. Conquest, Empire, Impact, and Context: The Early Islamic Empire in a Medieval World-System. Diss. Mount Holyoke College, 2014.Print
Powers, Janet M. "Non-Muslims in the Early Islamic Empire: From Surrender to Coexistence, by Milka Levy-Rubin, Cambridge University Press: New York, (2014): 519-522. Print
Richards, John F. The Mughal Empire.Vol. 5.Cambridge University Press, 1995.Print
Shaw, Stanford J., and EzelKural Shaw. History of the Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey:Volume 2, Reform, Revolution, and Republic: The Rise of Modern Turkey 1808-1975. Vol. 11. Cambridge University Press, 1977. Print
