Islamic Asian Empire

The Ottomans, the Safavids, and the Mughals were three major Islamic empires in South and Central Asia.

The Ottomans (1299-1923) famously conquered Constantinople from the Byzantine Empire. At the height of their power, they ruled over modern-day Turkey and much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, the Caucasus, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa.

The Safavid Empire (1501-1736) ruled over Persia, now modern-day Iran. Their origins lay in the Safaviyya Sufi order, and the Portuguese referred to the Safavid Emperor as “The Great Sufi.” Furthermore, the Safavids institutionalized Shi’a Islam in Persia, which remains the religion of the state today.

The Mughals (1526-1857) were a Central Asian, Turko-Mongol group who came to rule over much of the subcontinent of India. Despite deriving legitimacy from their Turko-Mongol ancestors, they maintained an Indo-Persian identity, and were intense rivals of the Safavid and Ottoman Empires.

The books chosen for this exhibit offer a glimpse of three major Islamic empires, both as described by western travelers, as well as through historical documents and art work.