By: Cathleen Banks Period:5

The Ottoman and Safavid empires were two great kingdoms between the 1500s and early 1700s that had many similarities ,but also various differences that distinguished them. Both had used land grants systems, focused more on land power than sea power , and were filled with populations that spoke different languages. Also their use of firearms ,their connection between the government and people, and their decline was very much alike. The Safavid's Shi'ite religious culture and traditions were very diverse from their surrounding neighbors. In the beginning of the Ottomans and the Safavids, both used land grants to support its important cavalry. The cavalry was significant because both empires were more interested in the expansion of land and the protection of the empire. Both populations of these two kingdoms spoke several languages such as Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and Osmali{the Turkish form of Ottoman}. Throughout both empires urban nobles, nomadic chieftains, and religious scholars served as intermediaries between the people and government. Though nomads were reluctant to use firearms, guns became very important and popular in both areas. During the time of decline both kingdoms were having difficulty paying troops armed with firearms. Cheap New World silver also brought inflation to both governments. Within the Safavid empire the Shah Ismail declared that the kingdom abandon their Sunni beliefs and become Shi'ite Muslims. A century later ,after many battles, the Safavid Empire was overwhelmingly a Shi'ite land in which only Shi'ite Islam was allowed. Even though the Ottoman empire was tremendously Muslim, it did allow small minorities of Christians and Jews. Shi'ism had a great impact on the lifestyles and culture of the Safavid Empire. Shi'ites believed that the Hidden Imam, the twelfth century descendant of Ali, will one day return and

have proper religious authority in the Shi'ite community. Yet some feel that they should play a more powerful role in political affairs because they are more qualified to know the Hidden Imam's wishes. During the first two weeks of every lunar year the commemoration of the martyrdom of the son of Ali, the third Imam Husayn, is exercised by the reciting of woeful tales by priest,the crowding of weeping believers, chanting, and parades. Other Shi'ites in other lands such as Ottoman Iraq practiced some of the same rites, but the Shi'ites of Iran were the most reverent. With over 90 percent of the population as Shi'ite Muslims, Shi'ism was felt strongly in the Safavid Empire. The Similarities and distinguishing differences of the Ottomans and Safavids were very important. Their closely related land grant system, land focus, and use of firearms made both empires very powerful. The Safavids strong Shi'ite beliefs and customs separated them from Muslim Ottomans in Iraq. Though both ended due to many of the same reasons such as inflation and struggle to pay their troops.