Historical Empires and Dynasties

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Qing Dynasty

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The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, founded in 1644 by the Manchus after defeating the Ming Dynasty. It ruled China for over 260 years until 1912, expanding China's borders to include Taiwan, Tibet, Chinese Central Asia, and Mongolia.

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Manchus

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The Manchus were Northeast Asian peoples who defeated the Ming Dynasty in 1644 and founded the Qing Dynasty, marking the end of China's imperial dynasties.

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Mughal Empire

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The Mughal Empire was a Muslim state (1526–1857) that dominated most of India during the 16th and 17th centuries. It often faced challenges managing its large and diverse empire.

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Ottoman Empire

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The Ottoman Empire was an Islamic state of Turkic-speaking peoples lasting from 1453–1922. It conquered the Byzantine Empire in 1453 and was based in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). Its territory encompassed lands in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe.

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Safavids

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The Safavids were a Shi'ite Muslim dynasty that ruled Persia (Iran and parts of Iraq) from the 16th–18th centuries. They had a mixed culture influenced by Persians, Ottomans, and Arabs.

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Songhai

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The Songhai Empire was an Islamic West African empire that conquered Mali and controlled trade from the 15th into the 16th century. It was eventually defeated by the Moroccans, who were broke after fighting with Portugal.

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Devshirme

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'Selection' in Turkish. The system by which boys from Christian communities were taken by the Ottoman state to serve as Janissaries (elite military units).

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Janissary

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Elite Ottoman guard (trained as foot soldiers or administrators) recruited from the Christian population through the devshirme system, that often converted to Islam; utilized gunpowder weapons.

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Samurai

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Class of salaried warriors in feudal Japan who pledged loyalty to a noble called a daimyo (who in turn pledged loyalty to a shogun) in return for land or rice payments.

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Divine Right

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The idea that monarchs are God's representatives on earth and are therefore answerable only to God.