Historians tend to claim that the Islamic empires (Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal) were notably tolerant. Indeed, these empires demonstrated a high level of open-mindedness toward religious and ethnic minorities when compared to their European contemporaries. How accurate was this historical narrative?

Part I

Write a short paragraph using 3 examples as evidence supporting this view. 2 pieces of evidence should be quoted or paraphrased from 2 different readings (i.e.: 1 piece of evidence per reading) and 1 piece of evidence should be from lecture. Include an in-text citation for each piece of evidence. In your paragraph, explain how your evidence proves that the Islamic empires were tolerant of religious and ethnic minorities. You may also talk about Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal treatment of women.

Part II

So… you know how modern academia is infamous for only being able to deconstruct existing narratives, and now we’re forever trapped in a cycle of seeking nuance and finding only obfuscation? Let’s do that! Write a short paragraph using 3 examples as evidence supporting an opposing viewpoint. 2 pieces of evidence should be quoted or paraphrased from 2 different readings (i.e.: 1 piece of evidence per reading) and 1 piece of evidence should be from lecture. Include an in-text citation for each piece of evidence. In your paragraph, explain how your evidence proves that the Islamic empires were only tolerant of religious and ethnic minorities when it suited their goals. Construct this paragraph as if Part I were your counterargument, and Part II is your rebuttal. (In other words, acknowledge the opposing viewpoint in this paragraph.)

https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/islam/1493janissaries.asp

https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/montagu-smallpox.asp