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Apr 1, 1258
Osman Bey is born
Osman Bey founded the Ottoman Empire. He put pressure on the Byzantines by taking border towns and continually pushing in. Before dying of old age, he successfully led a force against the Byzantine city of Bursa, which became the Ottoman capital. In the years after his death he became a legendary figure in Ottoman literature, much like George Washington in the America. -
Period: Apr 3, 1299 to
Ottoman Empire
Discover the OttomansOne of the Gunpowder Empires. At it's height it stretched accross three continents. It played an important role in the interactions between the East and West for over 600 years. -
Apr 2, 1451
Mehmed II's Reign Begins
Mehmed II was a great conqueor. Under his guidance the Turks took Constantinople, Anatolia, and land as far toward Europe as Bosnia and Croatia. -
May 29, 1453
Constantinople Falls
Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks following a lengthy seige. This signified the end of the Byzantine Empire and the end of the Post Classical Era. The city would become the new capital of the Ottoman Empire. -
Apr 2, 1501
Reign of Shah Ismail I
Shah Ismail I founded the Safavid Dynasty. He was intrumental in converting Iran from Sunni to Shia Islam. He reined until his death in 1524 -
Period: Apr 2, 1501 to
Safavid Empire
Info on the SafavidsOf the Islamic Empires, the Safavids had the strictest adherance to an offical state sect of Islam. They reestablished Persia as the power between the East and West. -
Apr 2, 1512
Selim the Grim Rules
Under Selim's rule, the Ottoman Empire expanded greatly. The Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt fell and Sham, Hejaz, Tihamah, and Egypt joined the growing empire. -
Aug 23, 1514
Battlr of Chaldiran
A battle that was fought between the Ottomans and the Safavids. The Ottomans, equipped with modern weapons, won easily. This almost destroyed the Safavids. Ishmail I retired from government after this battle. However, this battle led the Safavids to institute major reforms. -
Apr 2, 1520
Suleiman I
Suleiman I, also known as Suleiman the Magnificent began his reign which lasted from 1520-1566. Under his rule, the Ottoman Empire reached its golden age. -
Sep 18, 1521
Capture of Belgrade
Under the leadership of Suleyman the Magnificent, the Ottomans capture Belegrade. This opened up a path into Europe. -
May 23, 1524
Shāh Tahmāsp
Shāh Tahmāsp was the son of Ishmail. He took the throne following a civil war over succession. He helped the Mughal Emperor Humayun regain his throne following a rebellion. -
Period: Apr 3, 1526 to
Mughal Empire
Brief History of the Mughal EmpireOne of the Gunpowder Empires. The Muhgals were the first imperial power in India following centuries of fragmentation. -
Apr 30, 1526
Babur's Reign Begins
Babur was a Central Asian conqueor who established the Mughal Dynasty. He was descended from Timur and Genghis Khan. -
Apr 3, 1556
The Reign of Akbar the Great Begins
The Mughal Empire reached its height under him. Art reached a zenith and other religions were tolerated. -
Jun 26, 1564
Ahmad Sirhindi is Born
Ahmad Sirhindi was an important religious leader. He earned the nickname "reviver of the second millennium" because of his work reviving Islam in the Mughal Empire. -
Apr 2, 1580
Jesuit Mission Welcomed at Muhgal Court
Seeking to convert him and India, Jesuits visited the court of Akbar the Great. He welcomed them but declined to convert as he felt that it would alienate his countrymen. -
Shah Abbas the Great takes control of Persia
The Safavid Empire was troubled when Abbas I began to reign. The Ottomans and the Uzbeks were pushing in and political choas abounded at home. Abbas instituted reforms to reorganize the army and reduce the influence of the Qizilbash. -
Safavid Capital Moved to Isfahan
Following Ottoman attacks, the capital of the Safavid Empire was relocated from Baghdad to Isfahan. As a result Isfahan became a prosperous and cultured city. -
Treaty of Nasuh Pasha
Treaty between the Ottomans and the Safavids. It was signed after a successful Safavid campaign to regain lost territory. The Ottoman Empire was weakened by a long war with the Holy Roman Empire and both the Ottoman Army Commanders died, leaving the army without strong leadership. -
Safavids and English Recapture Hormuz
The Safavids combined forces with the English to expel the Portuguese from Hormuz. This would profoundly change Middle Eastern trade. -
Taj Mahal
It is a tomb for the third wife of the Emperor Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Majal. Many regard it as "the jewel of Muslim art in India". It is perhaps the most iconic monument in India today. -
Aurangzeb Reigns over the Mughals
Aurangzeb was the last of the great Mughal rulers. He successfully expanded into the south. He abandoned the policies of toleration Akbar had followed and instead persecuted non-Muslims. He also started the 27 Years War, which would lead to the downfall of the Mughals. -
War of 27 Years Begins
Aurangzeb invaded the Maratha Empire. Despite a large military advantage, the Mughals would lose this war. This destroyed the faith of the people in the government. The Mughals would retain control over only Delhi for the next century. -
End of the Safavid Empire
The Empire came under pressure from many sources: the Mughals to the East, Ottowmans to the West, Russians to the North, and British/Dutch to the South. As a result, the government went into decline and eventually was overthrown. -
The End of the Mughals
The last Mughal Emperor supported the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This led the British to take over Delhi, ending the Mughal Dynasty. -
End of the Ottoman Empire
The Empire had been in decline for years, racked by corruption and poor governance. Finally, the Sultanate was abolished, ending the Ottoman Empire after 623 years.
