Ottoman Empire Culture

The Middle East is credited with spreading rich history, heritage, art and culture to the world. It even influenced the art of the Indian subcontinent and what we see today in that subcontinent is somewhat a mixture of the Persian art (carried forward by Mughals) and Hindu Art that originated in the same region.

The regions around the Mediterranean and the Black seas were one of those regions in the Ottoman Empire that flourished in terms of economy as well as culture. Understandably, both the seas were the main routes of trade with Africa and eastern Asian nations and therefore many of the traders set their shops there itself; culture and art had to thrive there because of the entertainment that the people had there. As such there cannot be called something as the peculiar (or particular) 'Ottoman Culture' as it was a large Empire that extended its umbrella to other cultures as well. Ironically, it was perhaps the Ottoman Empire that first showed glimpses of Globalization - as we know it today.

The Absorption of Culture

History is proof to the phenomena that as armies and nations have conquered other nations and regions, they have absorbed some of their cultures as well. Amongst the Ottoman elite a new form of culture came about called the 'millet' form. It can well be called the multicultural acceptance and tolerance of the original Ottomans. Marriages have always been more of business and cultural alliances than anything else and that also helped the Ottoman culture to further penetrate the eastern, northern and western parts of the original Empire.

What many people conceive it to be originally Ottoman art it was actually influenced much from Persian, Islamic and Byzantine cultures and style. The Tulip era can well be called the Classical Era of Ottoman Culture. Interestingly, the Ottoman culture seemed to have a 'Mosque fixation'; meaning that their architectural brilliance shown in the construction of mosques.

Music and Food

Music - was again largely influenced by Arabic, Persian and Byzantine notes. The court musicians would cleverly include their part in the tunes and thus music became an important cause of the cultural rise of the Ottoman Empire. Selim III is one of the most accomplished and noted musicians of the Empire whose music is still played today! Now that is what is known as music that transcends generations and nations!

Ottoman was widely regarded due to their culinary skills amongst the traders of the outside nations. The elite would have cooks in their kitchens who would churn out the best dishes that are still made in Turkish kitchens today!