Question

What were the major cultural achievements of Suleiman’s reign?

Answer 1

Hint:
- He was the tenth and longest reigning Sultan of the Ottoman empire.
- He was the one responsible for leading the Ottoman empire to a golden period of cultural and artistic development.

Complete answer:
During the reign of Suleiman, the major cultural achievements were legal reforms, architecture, art and literature.

Legal reforms: Like the Renaissance philosophers, Suleiman also wanted to end the unfair feudal practices of the empire. He unified a code of law that sought to end Christian slavery. His policies were so successful that Christians relocated themselves to the Ottoman Empire in order to seek a better life.

Art and architecture : He was the one responsible for leading the Ottoman empire to a golden period of cultural and artistic development. Being a great patron of culture and art, Suleiman was able to revive the Muslim art and architecture. He designed hundreds of buildings across the Ottoman empire and contributed to the spread of Ottoman culture. Apart from mosques and other devoted foundations, he also commissioned repairs and additions to major historical monuments. He sponsored the restoration of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, as well as several additions to sites in Mecca and Medina, the two Holy Cities of Islam, date from this period.

Literature: He himself was a very well educated and artistic person, he opened schools that were fully funded in order to encourage educational development. In this system, education was granted to Muslim boys long before those in Europe.

Note:
i) Suleiman was nicknamed as the "Magnificent” by the Europeans, but his own people called him "Kanuni", which means "lawgiver."
ii) Between 1520 and 1566, the Ottoman Empire reached its peak during the reign of Suleiman. This period was noted by great power, stability and wealth.