Colonialism, past, present & future, Lessons from previous nations, Quran, listen ,read translation, understand & act

Fallen Empires..comparison

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Divine justice in this world: it’s upto us to learn or ignore lessons from history unfolded right before our eyes.

From holy Quran

Arabic:
وَتِلْكَ الْقُرَىٰ أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا وَجَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِمْ مَوْعِدًا

Translation (Sahih International):
“And those were the cities/towns that We destroyed when they wronged, and We made for their destruction an appointed time.”

Context:

This verse refers to the towns or communities that were destroyed by Allah due to their wrongdoing and disbelief. It comes in the context of Surah Al-Kahf, which includes stories of past nations and lessons about faith, patience, and divine justice. The verse emphasizes that the destruction of these communities was not arbitrary but was a consequence of their persistent injustice, and it occurred at a time decreed by Allah.

https://voiceofquran5.com/2025/10/19/portugal-summarized/

MUSSOLINI S TYRANNY Rise & shameful fall

https://voiceofquran5.com/2025/09/20/tyrants-rise-and-demise-in-recent-history/

Divine justice , Tyrants, colonial powers , their mistakes which lead to their fall in history. Glories gone never to returned as we see

https://voiceofquran5.com/2025/09/15/reasons-of-fall-of-nations-divine-perspectives/

COLONIAL POWERS, THEIR RISE AND FALL… SOME LESSONS TO LEARN FOR NEO COLONIALISM

https://voiceofquran5.com/2025/09/14/q-a-with-ai-deepseek-on-colonial-powers/

WORLD WONT MISS TYRANTS

https://voiceofquran5.com/2025/07/12/no-one-praise-tyrants/

British vs Portuguese

Comparing the British and Portuguese Empires reveals two very different models of colonialism, each with its own definition of “glory,” and distinct paths to decline.

Here is a comparative analysis of their glories and their fall.

Overview: Two Different Models of Empire

  • The Portuguese Empire (1415-1999): The first global empire in history, focused on building a maritime network of trading posts (feitorias). It was a commercial and maritime empire, controlling key sea lanes rather than vast inland territories (with the major exception of Brazil).
  • The British Empire (c. 1583-1997): The largest empire in history, a combination of a maritime trading network and a vast territorial empire on which “the sun never set.” It emphasized colonization, settlement, and direct administrative control.

The “Glories” – Peak and Power

Aspect Portuguese Empire British Empire Peak Period16th Century (during the Iberian Union and shortly after) Late 19th / Early 20th Century (c. 1850-1945) Nature of PowerNaval & Commercial Dominance. Controlled the carreira da Índia (India Run) and key spice trade routes. Naval, Industrial, & Financial Dominance. “Workshop of the world,” global financial hub (London), and the world’s most powerful navy. Key Territories Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Goa, Macau, Timor, trading posts in Africa & Asia. India, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, vast swathes of Africa, Hong Kong, numerous Caribbean islands. Source of WealthSpices (pepper, cinnamon), gold, sugar, and later, slaves. A mercantilist model that aimed to monopolize trade. Manufactured goods, raw materials, financial services, and massive investments. A move towards free trade after the 19th century. Cultural/Linguistic Legacy Created the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) world. Spread Catholicism, leaving a legacy in language, law, and religion, often marked by racial mixing (mestiçagem). Created the Anglosphere. Spread the English language, English Common Law, parliamentary systems, and Protestant missionary work. Sports like cricket and rugby. Defining IdeologyCatholic Mission. The drive to spread Christianity was a core justification, encapsulated in the motto “spices and souls.” Later, Lusotropicalism idealized racial harmony. The “Civilizing Mission” (White Man’s Burden). A belief in spreading British institutions, technology, and “civilization,” often with a strong racial hierarchy.

The Fall – Causes and Process of Decline

The decline of both empires was driven by similar macro-forces, but the timing, triggers, and processes were dramatically different. Aspect Portuguese Empire British Empire Primary Cause of DeclineCompetition and Overextension. The empire was small, resource-poor, and could not long compete with the rising power of the Dutch, English, and French. Geopolitical and Economic Exhaustion. The immense cost of two World Wars, the rise of the US and USSR as superpowers, and the changing global economy made empire unsustainable. Key Trigger for EndThe Carnation Revolution (1974). A military coup at home, driven by war-weariness from the colonial conflicts in Africa, instantly ended the empire. The Second World War (1939-1945). The war bankrupted Britain, shattered its imperial prestige, and unleashed irresistible forces of decolonization. Process of UnravelingA “Late Collapse” after a long, slow decline. Portugal lost its crown jewel, Brazil, in 1822. Its Asian holdings were reduced by the 17th century. It clung desperately to its African colonies until the sudden, rapid decolonization in 1974-1975.A managed but often turbulent retreat. It began with the loss of the American Colonies (1783). The main dissolution occurred from 1947 (Indian Independence) through the 1960s (African decolonization). The handover of Hong Kong (1997) is often seen as the final symbolic end. Wars of IndependenceColonial War (1961-1974). A single, protracted war fought on three fronts in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique. This war bled the Portuguese state and military, directly causing the 1974 revolution. Numerous, localized conflicts. e.g., The American Revolutionary War, the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (though not for independence), the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya, and the Malayan Emergency. Metropole’s Post-Imperial Status Returned to being a small European nation. It struggled initially but found stability and prosperity within the European Union, which it joined in 1986. Became a middle-ranking power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and a leading role in NATO. It managed the transition to the Commonwealth of Nations to retain soft-power influence.

Comparative Analysis Table

Feature Portuguese Empire British Empire Model Trading Post & Plantation Empire Settler-Colonial & Territorial Empire Duration Extremely Long-Lived (~584 years) Long-Lived (~414 years) Scale Small but strategically widespread Largest in history, global dominance Primary Strength Pioneering navigation & securing trade monopolies Industrial might, naval power, & administration Primary Weakness Small population & economy, unable to defend monopoly Overstretch, financial cost, ideological shift against colonialism Mode of CollapseSudden & Cataclysmic (Revolution at home) Gradual & Managed (Strategic retreat over decades) Lasting Legacy The Lusophone world; cultural fusion. The Anglosphere & Commonwealth; global use of English.

Conclusion

Both empires left an indelible mark on world history, shaping languages, borders, cultures, and global politics for centuries.

  • The Portuguese Empire’s “glory” was that of the pioneer, the first to connect the world by sea, creating a lasting cultural community based on a shared language. Its fall was the final collapse of a structure that had been economically and politically weakening for centuries, culminating in a dramatic revolution at home.
  • The British Empire’s “glory” was that of the peak industrial and naval hegemon, upon which the modern world’s economic and political systems were largely built. Its fall was not due to a single defeat, but a managed, though often painful, retreat in the face of new global realities it helped to create.

In the end, the “glory” of empire for the imperial power was always intertwined with exploitation, violence, and subjugation for the colonized—a complex legacy that all former colonial nations continue to grapple with today.

Cxxxx

  • Portugal’s parliament approved a burqa and niqab ban in public spaces on October 17, 2025, proposed by Chega party leader André Ventura, who in a viral video urged Muslim women to return to countries like Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan if they want to wear face veils.
  • The post links this to Portugal’s colonial past, where its 16th-century empire controlled over 5.3 million square kilometers across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, but decolonization after World War II reduced it to 92,000 square kilometers—smaller than India’s Kerala state.
  • It posits that such imperial falls stem from “crimes against humanity,” calling for introspection on whether current anti-Muslim policies reflect unlearned lessons in “blind hatred” toward harmless groups.

Q: Can you please share time line, glorious days, rise and fall of Turkish Empire

A :

Of course. Here is a timeline of the Ottoman Empire, covering its rise, golden age, stagnation, and fall.

The Ottoman Empire: A Timeline of Rise and Fall

The Ottoman Empire was one of the longest-lasting and most powerful empires in history, spanning over 600 years and three continents. Its story is a grand narrative of Islamic statecraft, military innovation, and cultural flourishing, followed by gradual decline and eventual collapse.

1. The Rise (c. 1299 – 1453)

This period saw the transformation of a small Turkish principality in Anatolia into a major world power.

  • c. 1299: Osman I establishes the Ottoman Beylik (principality) in northwestern Anatolia, following the collapse of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.
  • 1326: Orhan Gazi captures Bursa, which becomes the first major capital of the Ottoman state.
  • 1389: Battle of Kosovo. Ottoman forces under Sultan Murad I defeat a coalition of Serbian princes, opening the path for expansion into the Balkans.
  • 1402: Battle of Ankara. The Turco-Mongol ruler Timur (Tamerlane) defeats and captures Sultan Bayezid I, causing a temporary interregnum and civil war among his sons.
  • 1453:The Conquest of Constantinople. The 21-year-old Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) captures the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. This event:
    • Ended the Byzantine Empire.
    • Established Istanbul as the new Ottoman capital.
    • Marked the end of the Middle Ages and solidified the Ottoman Empire as a major world power.

2. The Glorious Days & Peak Power (1453 – 1566)

This was the zenith of the Ottoman Empire, a period of rapid expansion, strong central rule, and cultural brilliance, known as the “Classical Age.”

  • 1453-1481: Reign of Mehmed II (The Conqueror). Consolidates power in the Balkans and Anatolia.
  • 1514: Battle of Chaldiran. Sultan Selim I (The Grim) defeats the Safavid Empire of Persia, securing the eastern borders and bringing the holy cities of Islam under Ottoman control.
  • 1516-1517: Selim I conquers the Mamluk Sultanate, annexing Egypt, Syria, and the Hejaz (including Mecca and Medina). The Ottoman Sultan now claims the title of Caliph, the leader of the Sunni Muslim world.
  • 1520-1566: Reign of Suleiman I (The Magnificent or “The Lawgiver”). This is considered the absolute peak of the Ottoman Empire.
    • Military Expansion: Conquers Belgrade (1521), Rhodes (1522), and wins a decisive victory at the Battle of Mohács (1526), which led to the conquest of most of Hungary.
    • Siege of Vienna (1529): Although unsuccessful, it marked the farthest extent of Ottoman power in central Europe.
    • Naval Dominance: Under Admiral Barbarossa, the Ottoman navy controlled the Mediterranean.
    • Cultural Golden Age: Masterpiece architecture by Mimar Sinan (like the Süleymaniye Mosque), advancements in law, literature, and art.

3. Stagnation and Gradual Decline (1566 – 1699)

After Suleiman, the empire began to face internal structural problems and external military challenges.

  • 1571: Battle of Lepanto. A massive Ottoman fleet is defeated by the Holy League (Spain, Venice, Papal States). While the navy was quickly rebuilt, the myth of Ottoman invincibility at sea was broken.
  • 1683: Second Siege of Vienna. The Ottoman army is decisively defeated by a Polish-German relief force led by King John III Sobieski. This was a massive psychological and military blow, marking the end of Ottoman expansion into Europe.
  • 1699: Treaty of Karlowitz. The Ottomans sign their first major peace treaty by ceding significant territories (most of Hungary, Transylvania) to the Habsburgs. This symbolized the shift from an expanding empire to one on the defensive.

4. The Long Retreat and Reform Efforts (1699 – 1908)

Facing military defeats and internal decay, the empire entered a period known as the “Longest Century,” characterized by repeated attempts at modernization and reform to save the state.

  • 18th Century: Continual wars with Russia and Austria lead to further territorial losses. The Russian Empire emerges as the primary existential threat.
  • Tanzimat Era (1839-1876): A period of radical reorganization. Reforms aimed to modernize the state, centralize administration, and grant equal citizenship to all subjects, regardless of religion.
  • 1853-1856: Crimean War. The Ottomans, allied with Britain and France, fight Russia to a stalemate, but the war further crippled the Ottoman economy.
  • 1876:
    • The empire’s first constitution is proclaimed.
    • Sultan Abdulhamid II comes to power. He soon suspends the constitution and rules autocratically for 30 years, focusing on modernizing infrastructure and promoting Pan-Islamism.
  • Late 19th Century: Rise of nationalist movements (Greeks, Serbs, Bulgarians, Armenians), leading to independence for several former provinces. The empire becomes known as the “Sick Man of Europe.”

5. The Fall and Dissolution (1908 – 1924)

The final collapse was triggered by a series of catastrophic wars.

  • 1908: Young Turk Revolution. A group of reformist officers forces the restoration of the constitution, aiming to save the empire.
  • 1912-1913: Balkan Wars. The Ottomans lose almost all of their remaining territories in Europe.
  • 1914: The Empire enters World War I on the side of the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary).
  • 1915: Gallipoli Campaign. Ottoman forces, led by Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk), successfully repel a massive Allied invasion, a major victory but one that could not change the overall course of the war.
  • 1915-1916: Armenian Genocide. The Ottoman government systematically deportes and kills a large portion of its Armenian population.
  • 1918: Armistice of Mudros. The Ottoman Empire surrenders and is occupied by Allied forces.
  • 1919-1923: Turkish War of Independence. Led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkish nationalist forces fight and expel the occupying armies.
  • 1922: Abolition of the Sultanate. The last Sultan, Mehmed VI, is deposed and goes into exile.
  • 1923: Treaty of Lausanne. International recognition of the borders of the new Republic of Turkey.
  • 1924: Abolition of the Caliphate. The Ottoman dynasty is formally exiled, and the last religious-political link to the empire is severed. The Republic of Turkey is established.

Summary Table

Period Dates Key Event / Ruler Significance Rise 1299-1453 Osman I, Mehmed II Foundation and expansion; Conquest of Constantinople. Golden Age 1453-1566 Suleiman the Magnificent Peak of military, political, and cultural power. Stagnation 1566-1699 Siege of Vienna (1683) End of expansion; first major territorial losses. Decline & Reform 1699-1908 Tanzimat Reforms “Sick Man of Europe”; attempts to modernize. Fall & Dissolution 1908-1924 WWI, Atatürk Collapse after WWI; replaced by Republic of Turkey.

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