The rule of the Ottoman Empire stretches over six centuries. During this period the series of conquests and reforms continued. Their Caliphs repeatedly defeat the much mighty Christian power of their times. Consequently, the empire emerged as the most mighty and magnificent Islamic state of the age.
The prolonged period of progress and prosperity was followed by deterioration and decline. It is extremely essential to understand the precise causes of the downfall.
The following main causes are responsible for the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Addiction to Luxuries:
Love for luxuries is a major cause of the downfall of many great Muslim states. The same factor ruined the Ottomans. Many Ottoman Caliphs had considered the building of pompous palaces and lavish living to be the sole purpose of life. Many rulers had crowded their palaces with all sorts of dazzling dames.
Beautiful women from foreign lands often found their access to the palace. Some such foreign females then got themselves entangled in palace politics and intrigues. Like, the tragic death of the talented prince of caliph Sulaiman, the great, was also the outcome of one such royal intrigues in which a pretty Russian palace maid was involved.
Un-Islamic Trends of Nationalism and Patriotism:
Anti-Muslim powers are even now apprehensive of Islam and the Muslims. The Jews, Christians, and Hindus are more particularly afraid of Islamic unity and awakening. During the past, these anti-Islamic powers have been using a variety of wicked devices to weaken Muslim unity.
A dangerous device that these powers have effectively exploited to hammer harmony and unity among the Muslim states is that of the un-Islamic brand of nationalism and patriotism. This strategy was also tried in Turkey as a measure to strange the Turk psyche from the rest of the Muslim Ummah.
This deadly device eventually paved the way for the weakening of the bonds of the Islamic brotherhood among the Turks. It is heartening to note that after remaining lost in enemy's traps of secularity the Turks are now reviving the letter and sprit of Islam in their homeland. Rather than remaining indifferent and isolated in the zig-zags of narrow territorial nationalism they are reinforcing their plan Islamic ties with the rest of the Muslim world.
Indifference to Modern Sciences:
During the last decades of the Ottoman Empire, the European states in their neighbourhood were making quite rapid progress in the filed of science and technology. As the matter of fact their scientific progress had been originally stimulated by the enlightened Muslims of Spain.
The European countries kept on furthering their grasp over the sciences. On the basis of those very sciences they recognized and fortified their entire military equipment and defence strategies. Th Muslims, on the contrary, remained sluggish and slumbering all the time. Consequently, they lagged far behind and ultimately got degraded and defeated.
Inner Intrigues and Insurgencies:
The rising tempo of intrigues and insurgencies at various stages of the Ottoman Empire reduced its vigour and vitality tremendously. As against this, their rival Christian powers of Europe remained united and organized. They gave the Muslims a tough time.
They explioted the inner intrigues and insurgencies erupting within the Muslim ranks from time to time. They eventually succeeded in reducing the great Ottoman Empire into petty and powerless fragments.
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