Question

How did either the Ottoman or Safavid Empire use monumental architecture to showcase their power? Name specific structures when explaining.

Options:
A) The Ottoman Empire used the Hagia Sophia as a symbol of their power.
B) The Safavid Empire used the Isfahan Grand Mosque as a symbol of their power.
C) The Ottoman Empire used the Red Fort in Delhi as a symbol of their power.
D) The Safavid Empire used the Taj Mahal as a symbol of their power.

Answer 1

The Ottoman Empire used the Hagia Sophia and the Safavid Empire used the Isfahan Grand Mosque as symbols of their power. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Ottoman Empire used the Hagia Sophia as a symbol of their power. When the Ottoman leader Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, he recognized the beauty of Hagia Sophia and converted it into a mosque.

Minarets were added to the building, and Arabic inscriptions were placed alongside the ancient Greek iconography. This transformation showcased the Ottoman Empire's power and brought together elements of Byzantine and Islamic architecture.

The Safavid Empire used the Isfahan Grand Mosque as a symbol of their power. Isfahan was the capital of both the Seljuk and Safavid dynasties, and it became a center of Safavid architecture. The Isfahan Grand Mosque, also known as the Imperial Mosque, was constructed during the reign of Shah Abbas I. The correct option is A.