Ottoman Empire example essay topic

With the Mughal Empire in the Indian Subcontinent (East), Safavid Empire in the center and the Ottoman Empire in the west; the world witnessed the glory, power and prosperity of the Muslim rule in the 16th century. THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE In 830-850, Turkish mercenaries from Central Asia found in service of Abbasid caliphs. They were exposed to Persian Islamic culture. The term "sultan" (Arabic abstract noun meaning "sovereign authority") begins to be used to designate rulers. In 1055, Seljuk sultans become rulers in Abbasid Baghdad; two centuries of turmoil is ended and unity restored in eastern Islamic region. Turkish-speaking Muslims raid and settle in area now known as Turkey.

1092, death of Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah and his great vizier, Nizam al-Milk comes into power. 1258, Mongols conquer Baghdad and bring Abbasid Caliphate to an end. Later 13th c., Turkish Anatolia fragmented as Mongol control weakens and is withdrawn; many small principalities emerge, one of them led by Osman, who established the Ottoman Empire. REASONS FOR THE DOWNFALL OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE o Leadership Crisis. o Political Corruption. o Deteriorating Economy. The Ottomans were slow in catching up with the scientific developments taking place in Europe fuelled by the Renaissance. The West improved agricultural methods while technology and industry advanced rapidly Strong, centralized, national monarchies or bureaucratic empires appeared not only in Western Europe but also along the Ottoman frontiers in Central and Eastern.

Nationalism was growing in all parts of the world. Every province began to think of themselves of as a separate nation. Arabia cherished private ambition of independence. Many other states like Egypt also revolted. In 1908, a movement called Young Turks emerged in Turkey against the despotic rule of Abdul Hamid.

They advocated curbing the power of Monarch and reviving the constitution. Another group called Committee of Union and Progress also acted as a secret protest society. The CUP gained influence in the Turkish government once Abdul Hamid was deposed. They wanted to implement the identity of Ottoman ism as the identity of Turkey. The final blow to Ottoman glory was the entry to World War and siding with the Germans. The victorious powers Russia, Britain and France shared among themselves the great empire.

KHILAFAT MOVEMENT (1919-1924) AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIAN POLITICS: While the whole of Ottoman Empire was disintegrating, there were rejuvenative efforts within empire itself. The entire Muslim world lamented the fall of the Ottoman Empire. But a more reactionary response arose from Indian subcontinent. Maulana Muhammad Ali Jawhar, one of the undisputed freedom fighter of Indian freedom struggle also known for his anti-British stance. He had just returned from Britain after completing his graduation from Lincoln College. In 1914, he wrote the thirty-six hour sitting editorial 'The choice of Turks' as a reply to the article that appeared in London Times.

When the Balkan Wars began in 1912, he appealed for funds in aid of Turkish victims. He also sent a medical mission. In 1919, he joined the Khilafat movement and Indian National Congress, which added to the popularity of the anti-British sentiment. Although Maulana's efforts were concentrated in Northern India, the Khilafat movement saw a better expression in south especially Kerala.

It is a folly to think that the Khilafat Movement was the aspiration of a single community in India. There was no single other struggle after 1857 War of Independence which cost so many human lives as the Khilafat movement. The leaders of the movement included religious scholars, lawyers, religious heads and politicians from different creeds. Khilafat leaders like Ali Musliyar, Kunhammad Haji (who established a short-lived Caliphate in Malabar) are still remembered for their ceaseless struggle against the Imperial power. CONCLUSION Khilafat Movement was India's reaction at the misdeeds of the Imperial forces in First World War. The movement only helped to strengthen India's own freedom struggle by drawing in more crowds.

When Muhammad Ail Jawhar appealed for funds to aid the broken empire, even the ladies parted with their valuables to help the suffering brothers and sisters in Turkey. He even traveled to Europe for gathering support for the Khilafat. All his life he fought with his tongue and pen for the restoration of the Caliphate until his death in 1931. He was buried in 1931 and buried near Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.