Introduction: How did religion and culture influence the Ottoman Empire?

                   The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish - speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. The Ottoman Empire was one of the largest and longest lasting empires in history. It was one of the most powerful states in the world. It was an empire inspired and conquered by Islam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, It controlled territory in southeast Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The Ottoman Empire contained 29 provinces and numerous vassal states. The Ottomans blocked all land routes to Europe by conquering the city of Constantinople, the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. So the Europeans had to find other ways to trade with Eastern countries. The Ottoman Empire lasted from 27 July 1299 to 29 October 1923, and it spanned more than 600 years. 


                    There were things that changed and effected the Ottoman Empire in many ways. Some of the things that influenced the Ottoman Empire were the religion, culture, their social classes, architecture and art, carpet-weaving and textile art, and economy. The Turks of the Ottoman Empire were Muslims, but they did not force their religions on others. Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their own religion. There were social classes that divide people into  a number of castes or classes. There was a strong influence from the customs, architecture (art) and languages of Islamic societies. The Ottomans adopted their cultures from the lands and people they conquered. The Ottomans were famous from their architecture and art. They built many famous buildings and mosques. They were also famous from their carpet-weaving and textile arts. The Ottoman Empire was influenced by many things.