The Islamic World to 1600

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The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires spanned a period of Islamic history in which the isolation of medieval times - when small dynasties struggled to control small amounts of territory - gave way to the interdependence of modern times. Between them, these three empires covered the entire Islamic world, with the exception of West Africa and Southeast Asia, and they ushered in a new age of global trade and communication, as all three established new relations with European powers. Equally significant, all three pioneered the use of artillery in warfare, thus helping to change the way battles were fought for centuries to come. Finally, each empire left its own imprint on the Islamic world, through such varied issues as architecture, treatment of non-Muslims, and consideration of Sunni vs. Shi'a issues. In communicating with and influencing each other, whether in battle or diplomatic relations, the three Great Islamic Empires led the Islamic world into the 17th century, and beyond.

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