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Ottoman and Ming Empires

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Ottoman Empire that was created during the 15th and 16th centuries by Turkish tribes

came to be recognized as among the mightiest as well as longest-lasting empires in the history of

the world. It is worth noting that the Ottoman Empire was a Muslim-run superpower that

governed extensive or in other words, large areas of North Africa, Middle East as well as Eastern

Europe for more than six hundred years1. On the other hand, Ming Empire was founded by

Emperor Taizu or Zhu Yuanzhang, and it was the ruling dynasty of China for two hundred and

seventy-six years after the collapse of what was known as the Mongol Yuan dynasty2. It is

proper to realize that Ming dynasty is known for its literature as well as pottery. This paper is

focused on comparing and contrasting the two dynasties by identifying factors such as political

powers, resources, and technology, religious doctrine as well as economic growth.

Ottoman and Ming Empires

It is of great significance to note that the first period of the history of Ottoman was

categorized or characterized by almost constant regional enlargement. At this time, Ottoman

territory spread out from what is termed as a minor northwestern Anatolian territory to occupy

most of southeastern Europe as well as Anatolia. The Ottomans were forced to fight most of the

time against the Byzantines in the area. The Ottoman Empire was founded by an individual

known as Osman I who helped set up a formal government and expanding the territory. Ottoman

happens to be the most famous Muslim-led empire in the world’s history3. Islam was the major

religion of the upper class as well as ruling Ottoman citizens. However, other religions had an

1
Hanioğlu, M. Şükrü. A brief history of the late Ottoman Empire. Princeton University Press,
2010.
2
Kye, Seung B. "The Posthumous Image and Role of Ming Taizu in Korean Politics." Ming
Studies 2004, no. 1 (2004): 107-130.
3
Davison, Roderic H. Reform in the Ottoman Empire, 1856-1876. Vol. 2325. Princeton
University Press, 2015.
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influence in the empire, such as Christian and Greek Orthodox. The economy of the Ottoman

Empire is firmly believed to have been based on trade, agriculture, as well as transportation.

Military expansion played a significant role in acquiring wealth for the empire, and agriculture

was seen as more significant than manufacture and commerce. The primary resource associated

with this empire was wool that was produced in Anatolia mainly by nomadic shepherds, which

was converted into clothing, rugs as well as other textiles. For a long time, rulers in the Ottoman

Empire were looking for ways to acquire technology with science and learning to flourish

throughout the empire. It is worth realizing that the empire witnessed advances in medicine,

military as well as mining technology. Ottomans, for instance, partnered with countries such as

Bosnia and Serbia to discover and develop handguns and cannons.

On the other hand, Ming dynasty was being led by Emperor Taizu. From the very start,

this leader was concerned about Mongolian rulers of the Yuan empire and with the support of his

followers, he was in the position to capture Beijing in the year 1368, destroying palaces and

chasing the Mongolian rulers hence announcing the Ming Dynasty. It is worth noting that the

Ming dynasty was a government that was led by ethnic Han Chinese that came to replace the

early Mongol Yuan dynasty4. The censorates were recognized as the most powerful group of

bureaucrats as far as the Ming dynasty is concerned as the group had direct access to the

emperor. Even though Ming dynasty embraced numerous religious denominations, the most

dominant religious beliefs during this period were Buddhism and what is termed as Taoism.

Buddhism has played an important part when it comes to how the Chinese people think. Other

people in this period believed in embracing a harmonious connection with nature (Taoism). The

4
Harrell, Stevan. "Ethnicity, local interests, and the state: Yi communities in southwest
China." Comparative Studies in Society and History 32, no. 3 (1990): 515-548.
 4

economy of Ming dynasty came to be known as the largest in the globe during this period.

Agriculture played a significant role during the Ming dynasty, whereby things such as tea, fruits,

paint as well as other goods were produced on a massive scale. Cash crop came to be recognized

more changing the market economy completely. The dynasty also had incredible resources, for

example, copper, coal, zinc, and iron that highly contributed to its success. At the very start of

the Ming dynasty, China was known as a world leader when it came to the use of gunpowder-

based weapons, shipbuilding as well as the production of porcelain including other items that

needed technological knowledge5. The dynasty is also known in world history as one of the most

prosperous dynasties as a result of the invention of woodblock color printing, paper as well as

the two-color printing process.

It is worth noting that both empires were eras of economic prosperity for their regions.

Religions in during these periods played a tremendous role in shaping the people and the

dynasties. Because of the things that transpired during these eras, their influence is still felt.

5
Schlegel, Gustav. "On the invention and use of fire-arms and gunpowder in China, prior to the
arrival of Europeans." T'oung Pao 3, no. 1 (1902): 1-11.
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Bibliography

Davison, Roderic H. Reform in the Ottoman Empire, 1856-1876. Vol. 2325. Princeton University

Press, 2015.

Hanioğlu, M. Şükrü. A brief history of the late Ottoman Empire. Princeton University Press,

2010.

Harrell, Stevan. "Ethnicity, local interests, and the state: Yi communities in southwest

China." Comparative Studies in Society and History 32, no. 3 (1990): 515-548.

Kye, Seung B. "The Posthumous Image and Role of Ming Taizu in Korean Politics." Ming

Studies 2004, no. 1 (2004): 107-130.

Schlegel, Gustav. "On the invention and use of fire-arms and gunpowder in China, prior to the

arrival of Europeans." T'oung Pao 3, no. 1 (1902): 1-11.