Ottoman Empire was the last
great Muslim Empire that lasted from the end of the 13th Century to the start of the 20th Century. Starting from Northwest
Anatolia, the Ottoman Empire gained control of large parts of western Asia,
central Europe, and North Africa at its peak. But during the 17th Century (especially after the Battle of Vienna in 1683), the Ottoman Empire started
to lose its political influence by losing its European areas one after other.
During World War 1, the Empire sided with Germany to regain its lost areas. But the war ended with the destruction of the Ottoman Empire and the empire was replaced by the Republic of Turkey which holds the area of Anatolia only. The following are the main reasons for the decline and fall of the Ottoman Empire.
During World War 1, the Empire sided with Germany to regain its lost areas. But the war ended with the destruction of the Ottoman Empire and the empire was replaced by the Republic of Turkey which holds the area of Anatolia only. The following are the main reasons for the decline and fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Reasons for the Fall
of the Ottoman Empire
Incapable Rulers
The first ten Sultans of the Ottoman Empire (from Osman I to Suleiman I) are ranked as the best rulers of
the empire. But the later rulers proved to be incompetent ones who could not
retain the supremacy and influence of the Ottoman Empire. Though the political
decline started later in the 17th Century
during the reign of 19th Sultan
Ahmed II, the way was paved for this decline far earlier when
Ottomans started to lose battles against opponents. They were no longer
feared due to these military defeats as a result of the incompetency and incapability of the later Ottoman rulers. The situation worsened miserably further over time.
Role of Janissaries (Yeniceri)
Janissary was a special
infantry unit formed by the third Ottoman ruler Murad I in 1383. These were
specially trained units that played important role in the initial successes of the Ottoman Empire. But gradually, this unit became undisciplined and the
later incapable rulers failed to control them fully.
They opposed any effort of
modernization in the military and even assassinate a few Sultans and Viziers for
their purpose. Sultan Murad II abolished this elite unit by force in 1826. This
indiscipline attitude of janissaries was an important reason for the decline
and fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Janissary played important role in decline of Ottoman |
Role of Suleiman the Magnificent
Suleiman the Magnificent is
regarded as one of the best and the last great sultans of the Ottoman Empire. But he
committed such mistakes that proved harmful to the empire later. He was under
the influence of his favorite wife Hurem Sultan who was an example of a harmful
women’s role in state affairs.
Suleiman started the personal selection of public servants which was later misused by the new emperors. Suleiman initiated the custom to hear the proceedings of ‘deewan’ from the window instead of personal participation. Later, his successors completely ignored the ‘deewan’.
Suleiman started the personal selection of public servants which was later misused by the new emperors. Suleiman initiated the custom to hear the proceedings of ‘deewan’ from the window instead of personal participation. Later, his successors completely ignored the ‘deewan’.
Assassinations of Sultan’s Brothers
The cruel custom of the assassination of brothers of the new Sultan was started by Bayazed Yaldrim and
it later became part of the law in the era of Muhammad II. The purpose of this
custom was to eliminate any potential rival of the Sultan for political stability.
But this cruel law also deprived the empire of many capable rulers and played
a part in the downfall of the Ottoman Empire.
The Cage System
The cage system was also
initiated by Suleiman the Magnificent. Under this system, princes were kept in
cages instead of the palace and there was no system of necessary training for these
princes. It was an important reason for the emergence of incapable rulers after
Suleiman which brought about the downfall of the Ottoman Empire.
Incapable Ministers
The initial ministers of the Ottoman Empire were very wise and competent and played important role in the
expansion of the empire. But later ministers were chosen basis on political
influence instead of their wisdom and ability. This combination of incapable
rulers and ministers played a vital role in the demise of the Ottoman Empire.
Rise of the Russian Empire
The 17th Century was the time of declining of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of the Russian Empire. Russian Empire became the
direct rival of the Ottoman Empire and it used the slogans and
emotions of (Slav) nationalism and (Christian) religion to stage war against the Ottomans. After initial losses, Russians almost always remained superior to the Ottomans and they brought the quick demise of the Ottoman Empire.
Emergence of Russian Empire in 18th Century proved disastrous for Ottomans |
Opposition to Reforms
During declining of the empire,
many Sultans tried to reverse the situation through reforms. But their efforts
were failed not only by Janissaries but also by common people who considered
these reforms against Islam. As a result, Ottoman Empire could not reach the
level of emerging European powers, which brought the downfall of the Ottoman
Empire.
Young Turks
Young Turks’ movement was reformist in Turkey but the movement was based on Turkish nationalism.
This nationalistic movement also influenced other nationalistic movements in
the empire. The most important one was the Arab Revolt, which emerged due to the weakening of the Muslim companionship that was replaced by Turkish nationalism.
Arab Revolt
The feelings of Arab
nationalism were present in Arab areas of the Ottoman Empire at the start of the 20th Century. These sentiments were used
by the British during World War 1 and they assured their support to the Sherifite of
Makkah for the establishment of a United Arab State.
The Arabs initiated their revolt in 1916 against the Ottomans which played important role in the separation of Arab areas and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. This revolt was very important as it deprived the Ottoman Sultans of using the title of Caliphate.
The Arabs initiated their revolt in 1916 against the Ottomans which played important role in the separation of Arab areas and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. This revolt was very important as it deprived the Ottoman Sultans of using the title of Caliphate.
Declining Military Power
During the decline of the Ottoman
Empire, military power was also declining as they were far behind the
technological advancements of European powers. The reforming movement was too
slow and too late and this decline in military power proved to be an important
reason for the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Religious Scholars
Ulema (religious scholars) had
an important role in government affairs and their decree was considered
important for important issues. But several times these scholars used their
influence wrongly, which proved harmful to the empire. Ulema gave their decree
in favor of the assassination of Salim IV by Janissaries, the assassination of the new
Sultan’s brothers, and the alcohol-drinking of Salim III. During the Turkish War of
Independence, the ulema were divided between their support and opposition to Mustafa Kamal Ataturk.
Economic Condition
During their decline, Ottomans
lost vast important areas which negatively impacted the economic conditions of the empire. The
problem was accelerated due to continuous warfare. The declining economic
situation also played important role in the decline and fall of the Ottoman
Empire.
Role of Minorities
The majority population of
Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and a few other Ottoman-held areas were Christians.
When Russia, Austria, and other countries used their Christian religious
sentiments, they started rebellions in these areas. Several minorities also
took inspiration from the nationalistic ideologies of the era. It proved decisive for the Ottomans and they failed to retain control over many areas of their empire.
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