To What Extent Can We Speak of an Islamic Renaissance Between 1400 and 1600?

To What Extent Can We Speak of an Islamic Renaissance between 1400 and 1600?

The ‘Islamic World’ never experienced a ‘Renaissance’ in their own right. However, the period under review is considered a ‘golden age’. The powerful Ottoman Empire and their tolerance of others under a relatively secular regime played a huge role in this. Although, the Islamic World was flourishing, there was no great cultural revival after the ‘dark ages’ as there was in West Europe. This period was not followed by modernisation and capitalism in the Islamic World.  This is not to say the Islamic cultural and imperial achievements were inferior to those of Europe. Unlike the traditional Eurocentric historical view, the Islamic World did not decline as Europe rose^[1]. Nor was it completely isolated from the European path of history. The Islamic World benefitted from the European cultural florescence as well as playing an active role in it.

The Ottoman Empire played a major role in the European Renaissance. The Ottoman Empire was the most powerful in trade at the time. The gain of Constantinople in 1492 was the highpoint. The Sultan, Sulleyman 1 the first was arguably the most powerful man in the world at the time. The geographical gain meant that the Ottomans had a threshold between Europe and Asia. It kept good relations with Italy through capitulation. Constantinople became a cultural hub for Europeans. It was European re-joining with the east that helped to create a Renaissance in Europe. Goody goes as far to say that the ‘west borrowed heavily for its own renaissance’^[2]. The glasswork in Venice followed Ottoman craftsmen. This does not prove that the Islamic Empire experienced a Renaissance in its own right. As Goffman mentions, it was ‘Italian culture’ that was thriving in the Ottoman Empire. He goes as far to say that as the Italians developed Renaissance Diplomacy, ‘the Ottoman empire materialized into a shadowy backdrop’^[3]. This is implying the Islamic World became passive to European culture. This is untrue as Islamic ideas remained useful. For example, much of ancient Greek learning happened in Baghdad and was translated and developed. As Darling mentions, traditionally, the term ‘Golden Age’ is used to imply the Islamic Empire’s declined afterwards as Europe rose. European expansion, their new source of revenue and trade in the Americas enabled them to greaten there influence in the east. Conversely, the Ottoman Empire did not remain ‘static’ as the ‘Eurocentric’ historical view believes^[4]. They had a stronghold on Egypt and expanded into Russia. It was their decision to allow more Europeans into their cities. Historians have seen this to be a terrible error on the Sultan’s part. However, the Sultan was aware of the rising power of Europe and was trying to remain relevant in the changing trade patterns. Allowing Europeans into the empire also proves that it was not completely governed by religion as alternative religions thrived there.