The Political System of the Ottoman Empire

Figure(1): A collection of the different Ottoman rulers.

Figure (2): These are the different political powers that were in the Ottoman system.

Figure (3):This was the attire of an Ottoman emperor, the turban on their head acted like a crown.

Figure (4): An emperor and his gaurds.

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Different Millets

During the decline of the ottoman empire in the 19th century, other millets were recognized such as: Armenian, Assyrian church and the jews. These millets managed to form many social, economic and political improvements through the ottoman empire.

Different Millets

There were several millets within the ottoman empire. The first millet to be recognized was the greek orthodox church. It was the main religion of the byzantine empire. The presence of the millet, allowed power of the religious clergy over greek christians. A patriarch was the name of the representatives of the greek and Armenian millets, and the cheif rabbi was the representative of some jewish communities.

Millet System

The millet system is by definition, a self-governing religious community. There were different divisions, these division were called communities. Each community was divided based on religion. The main target of these communities was to maintain peace and tolerance through the lands. The millet system guaranteed protection to the different religious ethnicities in the Empire by following the traditions and religious laws. People gain the safety and freedom of their cultural and religious decisions. In court, the millet system was even been used there to be in the language and standards of the religion of any person.

Definition of Meritocracy

• Definition of meritocracy: an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth.

• Definition of meritocracy (In the Ottoman Empire): The idea of a society of orders, where people were born into a particular class and stayed there. Meritocracy is defined by gender, owner-ship, education.

What are Millets?

Administration

They are like small states that are defined by the people and are ruled speratly. The people usually divide themselves into the Millets through Religion.

Funding of the Millet System

Briefing on The Ottoman Empire

They were funded through taxes payed by each community. In some cases, the community was exempt from paying the taxes if the Sultan saw that the people of this community were preforming a society-aiding service.

The Ottoman governing system is divided into four positions:

1) The Sultan, called the Imperial. The Imperial controlled

2) Military Institution, responsible for expansions and protection of land.

3) Administrative Institution, responsible for tax collections and revenue control.

4) Religious Institution which are responsible for keeping order in court by religion, enforcing and spreading religious faith.

These four positions are all part of the minor ruling class while all the rest fell under subjects.

Administration

Why use the Millet System?

The Ottoman Empire was an empire established by the Osmans (osmaneyeen) in the year 1299. It had Turkish origins and had the capital of Constantinople, which is modern day Istanbul. The empire had used the Millet System and the Devshrime System. They also maintained strength through their governmental structure (Administration). The empire managed to last for 600 years using these strong political systems that were used throughout the centuries before decaying in the early 1920's.

The Ottoman Empire was one of the most vast Empires and had expanded in different regions where there was several religions and groups that were non-muslims. To maintain order, they had to give these people their right and space in order to be welcomed on their lands. The people were not forced to stay isolated from the other groups which allowed them to have integrated societies and the equality made the possibility of conflict subside.The integration was not exclusive in certain areas, though they shared markets, neighborhoods and public places.

Administration is the system of which the Empire was divided into several provinces each with a ruler. The administration was significant due to its centralization between Asia and Europe (Anatolia). The Administration was based on the system of Beylerbey. This system gave normal military officials or citizens an education in the ways of governing and becoming a provincial leader. These provincial leaders were given the label of Pasha.

Administrative System

Three units made the administrative system what it was; timars, emanets, and iltizāms.

Timars: acted as sallery distributing. Saved the effort of distributing revenues as part of the salleries.

Emanets: the minor officials that hand the revenues to the administrators automatically.

Iltizāms: keeps only part of the money as sallery, hands rest over. Cross over between Emanets and Timars.

The Political System of the Ottoman Empire