Diversity

In which ways do the three primary Islamic empires tolerate diversity and in which ways do they seek to eradicate or stifle diversity? And is there a qualitative difference between religious and ethnic tolerance?

All three empires encountered diversity in very different ways. Their viewpoints of religion and society as a whole varied depending on the leader at the time. The Mughals were the best of the three empires in changing up the ways of society. They found it in their best interest to create a new religion all made up of Muslims and Hindus. It was quite considerate of them to make this happen because their empire was in India, but the Mughals were Muslim. By working together they made it so that both sides were satisfied because there wasn't one superior religion, but a equally put together community. This is so significant because it was a way of letting the people keep their traditions and beliefs with out depriving them of their rights and keeping the empire united as a whole.

The Ottoman Empire was sort of following the Mughals, yet they did not create a religion to satisfy their followers. They were quite tolerant of the diversity with in the empire, but what was quite shocking about this was that they used Jizya, a tax for non-muslims, to set their mark. Kidnapping children and stuff along the lines of that to show their dominance expressed a lack of protection for their people. Being a very large empire I understand how they needed to set down laws and with their interest in expansion, they needed to keep all under control, but yet I see that this so call "tolerance" was quite intolerable. Although the ottomans did have a vast land to rule and protect i do not see that they were fully tolerant of diversity for the manner they handled their actions of expansion and superiority.

The Safavid Empire was the most different of all. I do not find that they were very into diversity because they tried converting all their people to Shi'a Islam. It is like they did not care for the religion everyone else followed and for all they cared, the people could just throw their beliefs out the door. They did wrong in using force to rule their empire because most of the people were muslim so it was like ripping out ones whole religious beliefs and trying to program them into another religion. The only good that came in their converting everyone to Shi'a Islam was that they tried to have people of all backgrounds and religions. This could be good but in a way it was non profitable or rewarding because when one wanted to practice rituals and recite things, they could face serious consequences if caught. This showed great intolerance for people who were non-muslim and really demonstrated the lack of equality, tolerance, or respect they had for the people.