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Jan 1, 1289
Beginning of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire was founded by Osman Bey. It continued in unbroken succession for 634 years. -
Jan 1, 1326
Capture of the Anatolian City of Bursa
The Ottomans' location on the borders of the Byzantine Empire afforded them ample opportunity to wage holy war. Their first great success came in 1326 with the capture of the Anatolian city of Bursa, which became the capital of the Ottoman principality. -
Jan 1, 1352
The Fortress of Gallipoli
The Ottomans were able to establish a foothold in Europe when they seized the fortress of Gallipoli while aiding a claimant to the Byzantine throne. Many ghazi joined the Ottoman forces and the city of Edirne became a second Ottoman capital. -
Jan 1, 1453
Capture of Constantinople
Constantinople was captured by Mehmed II. It became the new Ottoman capital and held a prominent role as a commercial center. This capture led to Mehmed being recognized as a true emperor instead of just a warrior-sultan. -
Jan 1, 1501
Safavid Empire
The Safavid Empire became recognized in 1501 under the leadership of Shah Ismail. -
Jan 1, 1501
The Rise of Shah Ismail
Ismail entered Tabriz at the head of an army and laid claim to the ancient Persian imperial title of shah. He proclaimed that the official religion of his realm would be Twelver Shiism, and he proceeded to impose it, by force when necessary, on the formerly Sunni population. -
Jan 1, 1514
Battle of Chaldiran
Ottomans deployed their heavy artillerary and thousands of Janissaries equipped with firearms against the Safavid Empire. Although the Safavids knew about gunpowder and military technology, they felt it was unreliable and unmanly, so instead they chose to trust in the protective charisma of Shah Ismail. They attacked fearlessly, but the Ottomans badly damaged them. This battle led to an on-going conflict between the two empires that lasted for more than two centuries. -
Jan 1, 1521
The Capture of Belgrade
Suleyman kept the rival Habsburg empire on the defensive throughout his reign. He captured their city of Belgrade in 1521. -
Jan 1, 1523
Beginning of Babur's Campains
Babur was never able to extend his authority beyond Kabul and Qandahar, so he decided to turn his focus towards India. There he mounted invasions in 1523 and again in 1525, ultimately resulting in the taking of Delhi in 1526. -
Jan 1, 1524
End of Shah Ismail's Reign
After the battle of Chaldiran, Shah Ismail became depressed and began cutting himself off from outside society. He died in 1524, giving up power to his successor. -
Jan 1, 1526
The Battle of Mohacs
Suleyman the Magnificent was very adamant about expanding the Ottoman Empire. In 1526, he won the Battle of the Mohacs by defeating and killing the king of Hungary. -
Jan 1, 1526
The Taking of Delhi
After mounting a series of attacks against Delhi, Babur finally succeded in overtaking it. This was also the beginning of the Mughal Empire. -
Jan 1, 1529
Vienna Siege
In 1529, Suleyman subjected the Hasburgs' prized city of Vienna to a seige. Although it didn't last very long, it was very terryfing. -
Jan 1, 1530
End of Babur
Babur's reign ended in 1530, when he died. However by this time, he had built a loosely knit empire that reached from Kabul through the Punjab, to the borders of Bengal. He founded a dynasty called the Mughals. -
Jan 1, 1534
Baghdad and the Tigris and Euphrates Valleys
Suleyman the Magnificent vigorously promoted Ottoman expansion in both southwest Asia and Europe. In 1534 he conquered Baghdad and managed to take over the Tigris and Euphrates valleys. -
Jan 1, 1556
Akbar's Reign Begins
Akbar came into power during 1556. He was the grandson of Babur and was the one who truly sculpted the Mughal Empire. -
Jan 1, 1561
Akbar and the Window
In 1561, Akbar gathered all the power of the government in his own hands. He did so by throwing Adham Khan, a powerful figure of the imperial court, out a window twice. Akbar then took personal control of the Mughal government. -
Shah Abbas Begins His Reign
Shah Abbas IThe reign of Shah Abbas the Great began in 1588, after his older brother, Humza Mirza, was assassinated. The nobles wanted Abbas to come into power, so they placed him there amidst the confusion that ensued after the assassination of Humza. -
Safavid Wars Against the Ottomans
Shah Abbas began a series of wars against the Ottomans in 1603. They caused financial debt and lasted until the end of his reign in 1629. -
Akbar's Reign Comes to an End
Akbar came out of power in 1605 because he died, Dysentery is believed to be the cause of his death since he never fully recovered once he came down with the illness. -
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Fall of the Safavid Dynasty
Safavid EmpireThe Safavid spiraled into a downward decline that ultimately ended in its fall in 1722. This was caused by Shah Abbas military techniques, which required heavy taxation and control over the provinences. This put the empire in debt and it is believed that his successors lived lavish lifestyles.
