The Mughal Empire faced a different challenge than either the Ottoman or the Safavid Empire did. Like the other two, the Mughals ruled over a vast territory that included ethnically diverse people, yet they were both a religious and an ethnic minority group within their own kingdom. The Mughals were Muslim Turks from Central Asia whereas the majority of the Indians whom they ruled were Hindu or members of other religions. This situation forced the Mughal rulers to establish a different style of government than that used by either of their counterparts.
To investigate the Mughal government, go to The Mughals: Akbar, which focuses on the innovations of Akbar, the Mughal ruler of India from 1556 to 1605. According to this site, there were many similarities between Akbar's government and that of the Ottomans.
What were these similarities? On the other hand, Akbar's rule differed from those of the Ottomans and Safavids in the area of religion. Analyze his policies toward the state and Islam and discuss the ones that he pursued to promote harmony between his Muslim and Hindu subjects. How did these policies differ from those of the Safavids and Ottomans?
Now go to The Mughal Empire. Read this brief essay, paying close attention to the reign of one of Akbar's successors, Aurangzeb (1658-1707).
How did Aurangzeb's government differ from Akbar's? What impact did these differences have on Mughal authority in India?
Be prepared tomorrow to discuss the governing styles of the Ottoman Empire with class. We will discuss the similarities and differences of the governing styles of the three Islamic empires.