Compare and Contrast Ottoman and Mughal Empires

The Ottoman and Mughal empires were two of the greatest and most successful empires to ever form in history. However, they both had some similarities as well as differences. Both empires went through tough periods of time, but at some point they also went through times of growth and prosperity. Although the Ottoman and Mughal Empire both did not force conversions into Islam, the Ottoman’s development relied on their tough military force, while the decline of the Mughal Empire was caused by Aurangzeb’s policy of religious persecution and high taxes. Because of the Ottoman and Mughal Empire being tolerant of other beliefs, people of all religions living in the empire lived in peace. The Ottomans granted freedom of worship to other religious communities, mainly the Christians and Jews. They treated these communities as millets, or nations. The allowed each millet to follow its own religious laws and practices. This system kept conflict among people of the various religions to a minimum. In the Mughal Empire, Akbar the Great, who was leader at the time, ruled India with wisdom and tolerance. Being a Muslim himself, he allowed people of other religions to practice their own faiths. Although the success of their military techniques was the main role in the growth of both empires, the Ottomans focused more on the use of gunpowder, while the Mughals’ growth was centered more on their cavalry tactics. The Ottoman Empire began its rise to power with the rule of Osman in 1300. It started off as a small kingdom, but he began to build the empire. His successors expanded it by buying land, forming alliances, and conquering others. The Ottomans’ military success was largely based on the use of gunpowder. They were also among the first people to use cannons as offensive weapons. The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, a descendant of Genghis Khan. He ruled over a small kingdom in Turkestan. Thanks to the Turks, Babur had learned new cavalry tactics and,