The Ottoman Empire expanded throughout Anatolia in the 1350s and captured Constantinople in 1453 under Mehmed II, establishing itself as a major power. It was ruled by absolute monarchs and the grand vizier was the head of state. The empire reached its peak but later declined due to military defeats and an inability to keep up with technological advances in Europe. The Safavid Empire established Shi'a Islam in Iran and battled the Ottomans until suffering a defeat in 1514. Under Abbas I from 1587-1629, the empire was strong and prosperous but later declined rapidly. The Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 and expanded greatly, reaching its peak under Akbar from 1556

1. Chapter 21: The Muslim Empires AP World History II

6. The Ottoman Empire

26. “ If there is paradise on earth-It is here…it is here.”