What an interesting read. Last week, on Turkish Republic Day, I visited the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, where many works by Abdülmecid (the last caliph) are exhibited. One of them especially caught my attention: a replica of a French nude painting (made for training purposes) depicting a woman with a bare chest. I believe that, by the late 19th century, the real struggle in the Ottoman Empire was not Islam versus modernity, but a transition of power from monarchy to an emerging modern elite. Islam and the caliphate were largely tools used by the monarchy to maintain control over the empire. Once a modern nation-state and the Republic were established, Islam was no longer needed as a mechanism to suppress citizens. Also, there is an error in this article that refers to a government in Istanbul in 1931. This should be corrected, because Ankara was declared the capital of the Turkish Republic in 1923. I wonder if there are other inaccuracies as well, so I would read the piece with some caution.
This is mostly wishful thinking alternate history. You're ignoring the impact of the British and colonialists and most of these characters were irrelevant puppets. Caliph in a Swiss hotel room lol
Very interesting. Even if it did work, I'm not sure Muslims would eagerly accept a Caliph living under a Hindu-majority Indian state (even if said Caliph had internal autonomy, like a vassal).
As a side note, will you guys cover the Partition too? I've heard some argue that it was a boon for local Muslims, while others argue it was a burden. (If you ask me, it was somewhere between the two, perhaps leaning towards it being a boon.) It'll be a controversial take either way, but it's a pretty big part of modern Islamic history, so you guys might want to cover it.
What an interesting read. Last week, on Turkish Republic Day, I visited the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, where many works by Abdülmecid (the last caliph) are exhibited. One of them especially caught my attention: a replica of a French nude painting (made for training purposes) depicting a woman with a bare chest. I believe that, by the late 19th century, the real struggle in the Ottoman Empire was not Islam versus modernity, but a transition of power from monarchy to an emerging modern elite. Islam and the caliphate were largely tools used by the monarchy to maintain control over the empire. Once a modern nation-state and the Republic were established, Islam was no longer needed as a mechanism to suppress citizens. Also, there is an error in this article that refers to a government in Istanbul in 1931. This should be corrected, because Ankara was declared the capital of the Turkish Republic in 1923. I wonder if there are other inaccuracies as well, so I would read the piece with some caution.
Maybe write on the very likely conspiracy to destroy the Ottoman Empire?
India's partition... perhaps the greatest mistake in the collective Muslim experience.
Reading this while studying in Hyderabad is just unexplainable feelings. Another Banger from Kasurian.
This is mostly wishful thinking alternate history. You're ignoring the impact of the British and colonialists and most of these characters were irrelevant puppets. Caliph in a Swiss hotel room lol
Very interesting. Even if it did work, I'm not sure Muslims would eagerly accept a Caliph living under a Hindu-majority Indian state (even if said Caliph had internal autonomy, like a vassal).
As a side note, will you guys cover the Partition too? I've heard some argue that it was a boon for local Muslims, while others argue it was a burden. (If you ask me, it was somewhere between the two, perhaps leaning towards it being a boon.) It'll be a controversial take either way, but it's a pretty big part of modern Islamic history, so you guys might want to cover it.