Century overview
The world in the 17th century
1601 – 1700. 290 events across 9 regions. Below, the century’s most significant events by region — what each part of the world was doing during the same stretch of time.
Europe
Showing 6 of 176 events from this century
- Founding of the Dutch East India Company
On 20 March 1602, the States General of the Netherlands amalgamated several trading companies to found the United East India Company (Dutch East India Company), granting it a 21-year monopoly on Asian trade. It could issue shares, establish a stock exchange, and wield quasi-governmental powers such as making treaties, minting coins, waging war, and founding colonies, making it one of the earliest multinationals and joint-stock companies.
- Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was a devastating military conflict fought primarily in Central Europe from 1618 to 1648, pitting France, Sweden, the Dutch Republic, and the Protestant princes of the Holy Roman Empire against the Habsburg-ruled Holy Roman Empire and Spain. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died, with parts of Germany losing over half their population. Related conflicts included the Eighty Years' War and the Franco-Spanish War. The war resulted in greater autonomy for the imperial princes, the rise of Sweden, and the emergence of France as the dominant European power.
- Outbreak of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
In 1639, a series of interlinked armed conflicts broke out in England, Scotland, and Ireland, collectively known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The conflicts began with the Bishops' Wars in Scotland against Charles I's religious policies and later expanded into civil wars and a war of conquest across the three kingdoms. The wars led to the execution of Charles I, the abolition of the monarchy, and the creation of the Commonwealth of England.
- Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War. It is widely regarded as marking the beginning of the modern international system grounded in the concept of state sovereignty.
- Great Turkish War
The Great Turkish War (1683–1699) was a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League, ending with a decisive Ottoman defeat and the Treaty of Karlowitz. The Holy League included the Holy Roman Empire, Poland-Lithuania, Venice, and Russia. The war began with the Ottoman failure at Vienna, and after over a decade of fighting, the Ottomans lost substantial territory for the first time, with Habsburg influence extending into Hungary.
- Glorious Revolution
In 1688–1689, a bloodless coup occurred in England. Parliamentarians, including Whigs and some Tories, united to depose the Catholic James II, replacing him with his daughter Mary II and her husband William III of Orange as joint monarchs. The event led to the Bill of Rights 1689, establishing constitutional monarchy.
East Asia
Showing 6 of 43 events from this century
- Establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate
In 1603, the Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Edo shogunate, was established in Edo by Tokugawa Ieyasu, marking the beginning of the Edo period. It was the third and last shogunate of Japan, ending the Sengoku period's civil wars and creating a centralized military government under the Tokugawa clan.
- Outbreak of the Ming–Qing War
In 1618, the Later Jin leader Nurhaci openly rebelled against the Ming by publishing the 'Seven Grievances', marking the outbreak of the Ming–Qing War.
- Founding of the Qing Dynasty
The Qing dynasty, founded by the Manchus, was the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history. In 1636, Huang Taiji proclaimed the Great Qing in Shenyang, formally establishing the dynasty. It later replaced the Ming dynasty and ruled China until 1912.
- Construction of Nijō Castle Begins
Construction of Nijō Castle commenced in Kyoto, marking a major project to display Tokugawa shogunate authority. The flatland castle was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu and later became a complex combining defensive and administrative functions, reflecting the political landscape of early Edo period.
- Construction of the Fuling Mausoleum begins
The Fuling Mausoleum (also known as the East Mausoleum) is the tomb of Nurhaci, the founding monarch of the Later Jin dynasty, and his consorts, situated northeast of present-day Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Construction began in the 17th century against a mountainous backdrop. It later served as a key ritual site for the Qing imperial family.
- Construction of Sendai (Aoba) Castle Begins
In 1601, the Date clan began constructing a castle on Mount Aoba in Sendai, later known as Sendai Castle. It served as the clan's seat throughout the Edo period, and its ruins were later designated a National Historic Site.
Central & South America
Showing 6 of 15 events from this century
- Construction of the Portobelo-San Lorenzo Fortifications
The Spanish Empire built a series of military fortifications along the Caribbean coast of Panama during the 17th and 18th centuries, including the fortresses of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, to protect transatlantic trade. These fortifications are magnificent examples of military architecture of their time and were later inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Establishment of the Jesuit missions among the Guaraní
In the early 17th century, the Jesuits established a series of missions for the Guaraní people in the border region of present-day Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, aiming to spread Catholicism and organize settlements, forming a unique communal experiment.
- Founding of Casco Viejo, Panama City
The historic district of Panama City, known as Casco Viejo, was established in the late 17th century after the original city was nearly destroyed by pirates in 1671. It was built on a small peninsula surrounded by rocky reefs and was completed and settled in 1673. The area later became the historic core of Panama City and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the late 20th century.
- Founding of the São Miguel das Missões
In the early 17th century, the Jesuits established the São Miguel das Missões in the region of present-day Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, as a mission to evangelize the local Guarani people. The ruins were later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
- Founding of Nuestra Señora de Loreto Reduction
In the early 17th century, the Jesuits established the Nuestra Señora de Loreto reduction in the Province of Paraguay, now Misiones, Argentina. It was among the earliest Jesuit reductions in the region, aiming at religious conversion and social reorganization.
- Founding of the Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana Reduction
In the 17th century, the Jesuits founded the reduction of Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana in Spanish South America, one of many missions for the conversion of indigenous peoples. Located in present-day Misiones Province, Argentina, it was formally established in 1633 when Jesuit missions moved south from Paraguay. Its ruins stand as a testament to the Jesuit missionary enterprise.
South Asia
Showing 6 of 14 events from this century
- Construction of the Basilica of Bom Jesus
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a Catholic basilica in Old Goa, India. Built in the early 17th century, it houses the body of St. Francis Xavier and is a major pilgrimage site and a World Heritage Site.
- Construction of the Taj Mahal begins
In 1631, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in Agra to entomb his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. This white marble mausoleum on the Yamuna River forms the centrepiece of a 17-hectare complex that later also held Shah Jahan's tomb and includes a mosque and gardens.
- Founding of the Jama Masjid, Delhi
The Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. Located in Shahjahanabad, it served as the imperial mosque of the Mughal Empire, symbolizing its power and prestige.
- Construction of Badshahi Mosque
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ordered the construction of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, which began in 1671 and was completed in 1673. Located opposite the Lahore Fort’s Alamgiri Gate, the imperial mosque became an iconic landmark of Lahore and Pakistan.
- Construction of Gol Gumbaz begins
In the mid-17th century, Sultan Mohammad Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty commissioned the construction of his mausoleum, Gol Gumbaz, in Bijapur, India. The structure is renowned for its massive dome and remains a significant example of Deccan Islamic architecture, though it was never fully completed.
- Re-establishment of Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery, a Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage, lies on the banks of the Indus River in Ladakh, India. Although its origins date to before the 11th century, the monastery was re-established in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal, reinforcing its role as a key center of Himalayan Buddhism. It hosts the annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava in early summer.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Showing 6 of 12 events from this century
- Founding of the Royal Palaces of Abomey
In the 17th century, the Kingdom of Dahomey began constructing a complex of royal palaces in the heart of Abomey, later expanded by successive kings. Built by the Fon people, these palaces served as the administrative centre of a powerful West African military and commercial empire, accommodating close to 8,000 people at their peak.
- Establishment of the Fort on James Island
In the 17th century, the Dutch built a fort on James Island in the Gambia River as a trading post. Constructed in 1651 under the auspices of Duke James of Courland, it was seized by the English in 1661 and became a hub for the ivory, gold, and slave trades. The fort's establishment marked the expansion of European colonial presence on the West African coast; the area was later designated a World Heritage site.
- Construction of Ussher Fort Begins
In 1649, the Dutch began constructing Fort Crèvecœur (later known as Ussher Fort) on a rocky point between two lagoons west of Accra, in present-day Ghana, as a colonial trading post on the Gold Coast. It was one of three forts built by Europeans in the region in the mid-17th century and later became a site of the transatlantic slave trade.
- Construction of Osu Castle begins
In 1659, Denmark-Norway began constructing a castle at Osu on the Gulf of Guinea coast, later known as Osu Castle (also called Christiansborg). The fortress was linked to European trade on the Gold Coast, initially serving the gold and slave trades, and later became the capital of the Danish Gold Coast and the seat of British colonial government. Built on Ga territory, it reflects the colonial rivalry among European powers on the West African coast in the 17th century. The castle was later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Founding of Fort Patience
In 1697, the Dutch built Fort Patience in the township of Apam, in the Central Region of present-day Ghana. The fort served as a defensive fortification and a trading post, and later became a significant site in the Gold Coast slave trade. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with other forts and castles in Ghana.
- Construction of Fort Amsterdam begins
In the 17th century, the English built Fort Amsterdam on the coast of present-day Ghana as a base for the slave trade. The fort was later captured by the Dutch in 1665, becoming part of their Gold Coast colony until 1868.
West Asia
Showing 6 of 10 events from this century
- Ottoman–Safavid War breaks out
In 1603, Safavid Iran under Shah Abbas I launched a war against the Ottoman Empire, aiming to recover previously lost territories. The conflict led to a Safavid victory in 1612, restoring suzerainty over the Caucasus and western Iran, with a second phase concluding in 1618 with minor territorial adjustments.
- Foundation of the Shah Mosque
The Shah Mosque (later also known as the Imam Mosque) was founded in 1611 on the south side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, under the Safavid Empire, by order of Abbas the Great. It is a major Islamic building in Isfahan, Iran, and later became a national heritage site.
- Treaty of Zuhab signed
On 17 May 1639, the Safavid and Ottoman Empires signed the Treaty of Zuhab at Qasr-e Shirin, ending the war of 1623–1639 and delineating their border. It served as a key reference for future agreements.
- Founding of Hasht Behesht Palace
Hasht Behesht Palace, a 17th-century pavilion in Isfahan, Iran, was built by the order of Safavid Shah Suleiman I as a private retreat. It is one of only two surviving Safavid palaces in the city and later housed Isfahan's first modern school.
- Foundation of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque was founded on the eastern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan during the Safavid period. Designed by chief architect Muhammad Reza, it was the first mosque built in the city under the dynasty, marking a masterpiece of Safavid architecture.
- Founding of the Vank Cathedral in Isfahan
The Vank Cathedral (Holy Savior Cathedral) was founded in the early 17th century in the New Julfa district of Isfahan, Iran, as an Armenian Apostolic church. Built for the local Armenian community, it later became the most visited cathedral in Iran.
North America
Showing 6 of 10 events from this century
- Founding of St. George's Town
In the early 17th century, the English founded St. George's Town, the earliest urban settlement established by them in the New World. The town, founded in 1612, became an outstanding example of early English colonial urbanism. Associated fortifications, built over centuries, illustrate the evolution of British military engineering in response to artillery developments.
- Founding of Old Quebec
In the early 17th century, French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded a settlement on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in North America, which became Old Quebec. The site, originally an Indigenous village, was chosen for its strategic cliff-top location, combining military defence with trade. It quickly grew into the capital of New France.
- King Philip's War
King Philip's War (1675–1676) was an armed conflict between Native American tribes of New England and English colonists with their Indian allies. Named after the Wampanoag chief Metacom (also known as King Philip), it ended with the colonists' victory and the death of Metacom.
- Early History of Trinity Church in New York
Trinity Church is located at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York, and is an ancient parish in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The church has a long history and prominent architecture. Its congregation is high church, following Episcopal traditions in missionary outreach and fellowship. The church also maintains chapels such as St. Paul's Chapel and the Chapel of St. Cornelius the Centurion on Governors Island.
- 1700 Cascadia earthquake
On January 26, 1700, a megathrust earthquake of magnitude 8.7–9.2 struck the Cascadia subduction zone. The Juan de Fuca plate slipped beneath North America, causing a rupture about 1,000 km long with an average slip of 20 m. It affected the Pacific Northwest coast from mid-Vancouver Island to northern California.
- Convent Church of Santo Domingo, Puebla
The Convent Church of Santo Domingo is situated in the historic centre of Puebla, Mexico. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Puebla and is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The attached Chapel of the Rosario, a masterpiece of New Spanish Baroque, was once hailed as the “eighth wonder of the world.”
Central Asian steppe
Showing 6 of 6 events from this century
- Founding of Mangazeya
In the early 17th century, the Russian settlement of Mangazeya was founded on the Taz River, between the Ob and Yenisey, serving as a key trade centre and military base for the conquest of Arctic and circumpolar regions.
- Sherdar Madrasa in Samarkand
The Sherdar Madrasa is a 17th-century Islamic college on the Registan square in Samarkand, named after the tiger-lion mosaics on its façade. It forms part of the Samarkand World Heritage site.
- Dzungar–Qing Wars
From the late 17th to mid-18th century, the Qing dynasty fought a long series of wars against the Dzungar Khanate across Outer Mongolia, Tibet, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Qing victories led to the incorporation of these regions into the empire and the genocide of much of the Dzungar population.
- Treaty of Nerchinsk
On 6 September 1689, the Qing and the Tsardom of Russia signed their first treaty at Nerchinsk, following Russia’s defeat at Albazin. It set the border along the Argun River and the Stanovoy Range: Russia ceded lands north of the Amur up to the Stanovoy, while retaining the area between the Argun and Lake Baikal. This frontier lasted until 1858–1860.
- Construction of Ak Mosque
The Ak Mosque is a 19th-century mosque in Khiva. Its construction took place around the 19th century, making it one of the Islamic structures in the historic city of Khiva, Uzbekistan.
- Construction of the Tilla Kari Madrasa in Samarkand (17th Century)
The Tilla Kari Madrasa was built in the 17th century on the Registan square in Samarkand, combining religious and educational functions. It forms an architectural ensemble with the Ulugh Beg and Sher-Dor madrasas. The madrasa is part of the historic center of Samarkand, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2001.
North Africa
Showing 4 of 4 events from this century
- Founding of the Ibn Danan Synagogue
In the 17th century, the first Ibn Danan Synagogue was established in the Mellah of Fez, Morocco. The building was later destroyed or damaged and restored multiple times, and was most recently reopened in 1999 after another restoration.
- Construction of the Ketchaoua Mosque
The Ketchaoua Mosque was completed in Algiers under Ottoman rule, around the 17th century. It stands at the foot of the Casbah, blending Moorish and Byzantine architectural styles.
- Foundation of Djamaa al-Djedid mosque in Algiers
In 1660, a new mosque was built in the lower Casbah district of Algiers, in the Moorish style and close to the sea.
- Establishment of the Cherratine Madrasa
In 1670, the Alawi sultan Moulay al-Rashid founded an Islamic school, the Cherratine Madrasa, in Fez, Morocco.
Years in the 17th century
8 years in this century have enough records for a page of their own.