Question 1

Bayezid was forced to abandon his plan of attacking the Byzantine Empire because

Accepted Answer

Bayezid was forced to abandon his plans of attacking the Byzantine Empire because he was defeated by Timur (also known as Tamerlane or Timur Lenk) at the Battle of Ankara in 1402. This defeat not only halted his expansionist plans but also led to his capture and the subsequent internal turmoil within the Ottoman Empire.

Question 2

In conquering Constantinople, Mehmed II laid claim to which of these titles?

Accepted Answer

Mehmed II laid claim to the title of Roman emperor after conquering Constantinople, as he saw himself as the successor of the Byzantine Emperors and sought to establish his own empire as a continuation of the Roman Empire.

Question 3

What was the fate of Timur Lenk's conquests after his death?

Accepted Answer

After Timur Lenk's death, his vast conquests disintegrated due to internal power struggles and lack of strong leadership.

Question 4

Mehmed II is known as "the Conqueror" because he took

Accepted Answer

Mehmed II is known as "the Conqueror" because he successfully took Constantinople in 1453, a monumental event that marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the region.

Question 5

Ottoman law, compared to other Muslim states was

Accepted Answer

Ottoman law was more flexible as it incorporated both Shari'ah and customary laws, allowing for adaptations and changes to suit the needs of the state and its diverse population.

Question 6

Timur Lenk conquered all of the lands once ruled by the Mongols except

Accepted Answer

Timur Lenk did not conquer China.

Question 7

Who benefitted most from the Fourth Crusade?

Accepted Answer

The Fourth Crusade was marked by the diversion of the crusaders from their intended target in the Holy Land to Constantinople, where they sacked and looted the city. This weakened the Byzantine Empire and paved the way for the Ottoman Turks to eventually conquer the region. Therefore, the Ottomans ultimately benefitted the most from the Fourth Crusade by gaining more power and territory.

Question 8

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the kanun?

Accepted Answer

The kanun were state laws created in response to issues not addressed in the Shari`ah. They were heavily influenced by Roman law, but were not strictly based on it. They were applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Question 9

Which of the following was NOT one of the Ottoman "pillars of empire"?

Accepted Answer

The Ottoman "pillars of empire" were the grand vezir (chief minister), the judiciary, and administrators who drew up edicts. The grand admiral was not considered one of the pillars.

Question 10

Timur Lenk benefited from the demise of which of these?

Accepted Answer

Timur Lenk, also known as Tamerlane, benefited from the demise of the Jagadai Khanate in Central Asia. He was able to conquer the weakened territories and expand his own empire.

Question 11

Timur Lenk considered himself the worthy heir of

Accepted Answer

Timur Lenk considered himself the worthy heir of Genghis Khan. He traced his lineage back to the legendary conqueror and sought to emulate his military campaigns and tactics. Timur even went so far as to claim to be a reincarnation of Genghis Khan, further cementing his connection to the great conqueror.

Question 12

The ultimate goal of the Ottoman Turks was

Accepted Answer

The Ottoman Turks aimed for Islamic expansion, particularly into Europe, as part of their broader goal of spreading their influence and control.

Question 13

The changing of the name Constantinople to Istanbul signified

Accepted Answer

The changing of the name Constantinople to Istanbul signified Islam's conquest of Byzantium. When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, they changed its name to Istanbul to signal their victory and the city's conversion to Islam. The name continues to be used for the city today.

Question 14

How did Timur justify his conquests?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did Timur justify his conquests?
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Question 15

What were the origins of Timur Lenk?

Accepted Answer

Timur Lenk, also known as Tamerlane, was born in 1336 in Transoxiana (present-day Uzbekistan) and was of Turco-Mongol origin. His father was a tribal leader of the Barlas tribe, which was of Turkic origin, and his mother was of Mongol descent. Timur claimed to be a descendant of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, through his mother's side.

Question 16

Which man laid the foundations for the Pax Ottomanica?

Accepted Answer

Murad I, also known as Murad Hüdavendigâr, was the Ottoman Sultan who laid the foundations for the Pax Ottomanica by expanding and consolidating Ottoman territories in the Balkans and Anatolia, setting the stage for future peace and stability under Ottoman rule.

Question 17

The word "Padishah" is a Persian word meaning

Accepted Answer

Padishah refers to the title given to the monarchs of the Safavid, Ottoman, and Mughal empires, who were believed to be God's deputies on earth.

Question 18

Why did Timur Lenk hope to conquer China?

Accepted Answer

Timur Lenk aimed to conquer China partly because the Mongols had previously done so, and he sought to emulate and surpass their achievements. His ambitions were driven by a desire to restore the Mongol Empire under his leadership, rather than specific threats or personal vendettas.

Question 19

Before making a major political decision, the Ottoman sultan was expected to

Accepted Answer

The Ottoman sultan was expected to seek a fatwa, or legal opinion issued by an Islamic scholar, before making a major political decision. This was a common practice in the Ottoman Empire and reflected the importance of Islamic law and tradition in Ottoman governance.

Question 20

What was the outcome of the Battle of Ankara?

Accepted Answer

The outcome of the Battle of Ankara was that Timur defeated Sultan Bayezid in 1402, leading to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and Timur's short-lived dominance over the region.

Quiz 17: Culture and Conflict in the Great Islamic Empires, 1071-1707