Chapter 15 Worksheet
“The Muslim Empires (1450 – 1800)”
Section 1 (pp. 484 – 489)
“The Ottoman Empire”
1. Describe the expansion of the Ottoman Empire in the early 14th century. Into
what lands did the empire grow?
2. Who were the janissaries?
3. What role did the acquisition of firearms play in the expansion of the
Ottoman Empire?
4. Under the leadership of Mehmed II, the Ottomans laid siege to what “crown
jewel” of the Middle East region? What did they rename it?
5. (a) From 1514 to 1517, the Ottomans took control of what three regions that
made up the “heartland of Islam”?
(b) Control of these regions gave the Ottomans control of what three holy
cities?
6. What is a caliph?
7. During the late 1400s and early 1500s, the Ottomans expanded (or
attempted to expand) into what areas of Europe?
8. What is a gunpowder empire?
9. What is a sultan? How was the power of the sultan passed on from
predecessor to successor? What was the consequence of this process?
10. Describe the lifestyle of the Sultan.
11. Describe the bureaucracy that helped the sultan rule empire.
12. What was the Topkapi? What were its purposes? (2)
13. What sect of Islam did the Ottoman Empire belong to?
14. In practice, how was the guiding and maintaining of Islamic law handled
within the Ottoman Empire?
15. How were non-Muslims treated in the Ottoman Empire?
16. What were the five main groups of Ottoman society? Outside of the ruling
elite, which class was the most privileged?
17. How were women treated in the Ottoman Empire?
18. Describe the problems that arose after the passing of “Suleiman the
Magnificent”:
a. Changes in government
b. Cultural and Economic Changes
Section 2 (pp. 492 – 495)
“The Rule of the Safavids”
1. What was the state of Persia and Central Asia between the rules of Timur
Lenk and the Safavids?
2. What sect of Islam did the Safavid Empire belong to?
3. The Safavid Empire existed in what present-day areas?
4. What was a shah?
5. Describe the events that led to the Safavid-Ottoman conflict.
a. *What are the religious undertones of this conflict?
6. How did the Safavids unify the Turkish and Persia citizens that lived
within their empire?
a. What happened if they refused?
7. Under which ruler did the Safavids reach the high point of their glory? Why
did the empire decline after this individual’s death?
8. What was the ultimate fate of the Safavid Empire during the 18th century?
9. In terms of economics and trade, what relationship did the Safavid Empire
have with its neighbors and with Europe?
Section 3 (pp. 498 – 503)
“The Grandeur of the Moguls”
1. What was the state of the Indian subcontinent before the arrival of the
Moguls to the region in 1500?
2. From where did the Mogul rulers originate?
3. Who was Babur? Who were his parents?
4. Under the rule of Babur son Akbar, how was the Mogul empire organized?
5. Describe some of the defining characteristics of Akbar’s rule. (2)
6. Provide examples of how Akbar demonstrated religious tolerance in both
his personal and professional life.
7. What led to a decline of the Mogul Empire during the rule of Jahangir?
8. What led to a decline of the Mogul Empire during the rule of Shah Jahan?
9. Describe the rise and fall of Aurangzeb. Go into detail about the social
changes made during his rule.
10. *The Moguls had to deal with the challenge of ruling as foreigners in India.
What group that we learned about previously had to deal with the same
challenge? (See chapter 8!)
11. How were women treated in the Mogul Empire?
12. What was the Taj Mahal?
13. How did the arrival of the British to India affect the Mogul Empire?