Why are the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires sometimes called "gunpowder empires"? Please explain in detail.
1 Answer
This question has persisted a long time...here's an answer. They are called "gunpowder empires" due to their efficient use of military technology to conquest.
Explanation:
The Ottomans broke through Constantinople's impenetrable Theodisian walls with cannons, and conquered much of the Turkish region and eastern Europe with a magnificent display of blaring cannons and firearms.
The Safavids used firearms to disband the many Persian tribes that stood in the way of their rising empire...the Sufi mystics who sparked the Safavid movement used gunpowder to conquer these tribes and keep the Ottomans, and even Europeans, from entering the East of Asia.
The Mughals were known for their stellar victories against the Rajputs of India, who worked collectively to try to beat the Mughals. Under the superior war command of Babur and gunpowder technology, the Mughals beat hordes of elephants and tens of thousands of soldiers.
So, gunpowder empires simply refers to the three empires' abilities to grow their empire via a strategic usage of a new war technology, gunpowder.
