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Apr 1, 1258
The Birth of Osman Bey
The Ottoman empire owes its name to Osman Bey, who was a chief of a band of seminomadic Turks that migrated into northwestern Anatolia, From there, Osman went on to establish one of the longest lasting empires of the world: the Ottoman Empire. -
Period: Jan 1, 1289 to
The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire began with Osman Bey who's dynasty continued in unbroken succession from 1289 until the dissolution of the empire in 1923. Osman and his followers sought to become ghazi, Muslim religious warriors. In total the Ottoman empire lasted from CA1289-1923 -
Apr 3, 1308
The Ottoman Navy
Ottoman naval power started in CA 1308 with its conquest of the island of Kalolimno in the Sea of Marmara. The navy provided the Ottoman empire the ability to protect maritime trade. -
Apr 3, 1326
The capture of Bursa
The Ottoman’s first major success came in 1352 with the capture of the Anatolian city of Bursa which then became the capital of the Ottoman principality. -
Jan 1, 1352
Ottoman Capture of Gallipoli
The ottomans established a foothold in Europe when they seized the fortress of Gallipoli. -
Apr 3, 1451
Mehmed the Conqueror
Mehmed the Conqureor reigned from Ca 1451-1481. Mehmed was resposible for the capture of Constantinople.The capture of Constantinople made Mehmed the ruler of “two lands” (Europe and Asia) and the ruler of “two seas” (the Black sea and the Mediterranean Sea). -
Apr 1, 1453
The capture of Constantinople
Mehmed the Conqueror captured Constantinople in Ca 1453. The capture of Constantinople provided the Ottomans with a superb trading hub. The Ottoman empire moved its capital to Constantinople and renamed in Istanbul. -
Period: Jan 1, 1501 to
The Safavid empire
In 1499, Ismail, a twelve-year-old boy, left the swamps of Gilan to seek revenge. Two years later he led an army on Tabriz and proclaimed himself shah. In 1501 Shah Ismail established the Safavid Empire. -
Apr 3, 1501
Shah Ismail
Shah Ismail was the first ruler of the Safavid empire. At a young age he led an army on Tabriz and proclaimed himself Shah Ismail. Shah Ismail proclaimed the official religion of the Safavid empire to be Twelver Shiism. Shah Ismail ruled from CA 1501-1524. -
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Apr 3, 1512
Selim the Grim
Selim the Grim reigned from CA 1512-1520. Selim was responsible for the Ottoman victory at Chaldiran. This victory established Ottoman dominance over the Sfavid empire for a short time. -
Apr 2, 1514
The Battle of Chaldiran
In an attempt to persecute Shi'ites and invade the Safavid Empire, Ottoman leader Selim I, of Selim the Grim, led a strong Ottoman army into Safavid landholdings. At the Battle of Chaldiran, the Ottoman Janissaries easily overpowered the weaker, ill-armed Safavid army. This defeat left the Safavid empire on the brink of dissolution, however, the empire was able to rebound. -
Apr 2, 1520
Süleyman the Magnificent
Süleyman the Magnificent reigned from CA 1520-1566. Under Süleyman, the Ottoman empire pushed into Southwest Asia and Europe, Süleyman was responsible for much of the Ottoman expansion. Under Süleyman the Magnificent the Ottoman empire also became a major naval power. -
Apr 3, 1525
Reign of Tahmasp
With a total of 51 years, Tahmasp was the longest-reigning shah of the Safavid empire. His reign lasted from CA 1525 to 1576. Tahmasp was the son of Ismail I, he took over directly after his father's death. -
Period: Apr 1, 1526 to
The Mughal Empire
The Mughal empire was established by Zahir al-Din Muhammad, known as Babur, who claimed decent from both Chinggis Khan and Tamerlane. The empire embraced much of India and the surrounding territories. This empire was powerful and influential in its early years but began to lose power CA 1707. The Mughal empire lasted from CA 1526 to 1858. -
Apr 3, 1526
Reign of Zahir al-Din Muhammed
Zahir al-Din Muhammed, also known as Babur the Tiger, claimed descent from Chinggis Khan and Tamerlane. Babur established the Mughal Empire in India. Babur reigned over his Indian territory from CA 1526-1530. -
Apr 3, 1526
The Battle of Panipat
In a battle at Panipat Babur defeats the sultan of Delhi, launching the Mughal empire in India -
Apr 3, 1534
Istfahan Named Capital
in an attempt to the capital in a more centralized location, Shah Abbas the Great relocated the capital to Isfahan. -
Apr 2, 1556
Akbar
Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, simply known as just Akbar, took the Mughal throne in Delhi after he threw Adham Khan out a palace window not once but twice to ensure he was dead. He was a charismatic ruler who was well-respected by his people. He set up a vast administrative structure within the empire and began to absorb the region of Vijayanagar into Mughal landholdings. Not only was he a formidable leader, he was also religiously tolerant and a patron of the arts. -
Shah Abbas the Great
Shah Abbas the Great reigned from CA 1588-1629. Shah Abbas was able to fully revitalize the Safavid empire after the defeat at Chaldiran. Shah Abbas reorganized the Safavid empire and was able to gain back most of the lands lost to Ottomans. -
Establishment of British 'factories' in Mughal Empire.
The British East India establishes a 'factory' at Surat, on the west coast -
Begin construction of the Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan begins building the Taj Mahal as a memorial for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal -
Aurangzeb
The Mughal empire reached its greatest extent under Aurangzeb’s reign (CA 1659-1707). By the end of his reign, Aurangzeb pushed Mughal territory into every corner of the Indian sub-continent except for a small region in the southern tip. The Mughal empire began to face several hardships as a result of Aurangzeb’s administration. Aurangzeb, a devout Muslim, pushed for Islamic power in India; he destroyed famous Hindu temples and replaced them with mosques. Aurangzeb’s promotion of Islam spurred -
Establishment of French 'factories' in Mughal Empire.
France by now has six fortified trading settlements around the coast of India, of which Pondicherry is the most important -
Decline in the Mughal empire
The death of Aurangzeb initiated the decline of Mughal society in India. -
Safavids invaded by Afghans
The Safavid empire was invaded and taken over by Afghans. This event marks the fall of the Safavids. -
The Fall of the Safavids
After being taken over by the Afghans the Safavid empire crombled and seized to exist. -
The Mughal empire ends
Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor, is deposed by the British and exiled.
