Chapter II: Preface

The Ottoman Turks, after the world had long despaired of them, have in these last years shown signs of renewed vigor. The time is, then, perhaps not inauspicious for an examination of the structure of their organization in the period of its greatest power and prestige. It is not easy for the present age to realize how large the empire of Suleiman bulked in the eyes of contemporaneous Europe. Amid the vast energies and activities, the magnificent undertakings and achievements, of the marvellous sixteenth century, nothing surpassed the manifestations of power that swept forth from Constantinople. The following pages will have been worth while if their incomplete presentation shadows forth, however dimly, the secrets of Ottoman greatness and success.

This book was originally prepared in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Harvard University, and was subsequently awarded the Toppan Prize. The writer desires to acknowledge his very great indebtedness for advice, suggestion, and criticism to a number of kind friends with whom he has consulted, but especially to Professor A. C. Coolidge and Professor G. F. Moore. Nor can he let the book go to press without recording his extreme obligation to his wife for unwearying assistance at every stage of its preparation.

A. H. L.

OBERLIN, OHIO, 1912.

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION

IDEAS CONSTITUTE A NATION 3

THE BACKGROUND OF OTTOMAN HISTORY 5

CHARACTER AND MISSION OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE 7

THE RACIAL DESCENT OF THE OTTOMAN TURKS 10

SELJUK AND OTTOMAN TURKS IN ASIA MINOR 14

THE SOURCES OF OTTOMAN CULTURE 18

CHAPTER I

THE CHARACTER OF THE OTTOMAN STATE IN GENERAL

DEFINITION 25

THE LIMITATIONS ON DESPOTISM 26

THE TERRITORIAL BASIS 28

THE PEOPLES 33

INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT 35

CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TWO GREAT INSTITUTIONS 38

CHAPTER II

THE OTTOMAN RULING INSTITUTION: AS A SLAVE-FAMILY

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION 45

II. THE SLAVE-FAMILY 47

METHODS OF RECRUITING 49

THE TRIBUTE BOYS 51

ESTIMATE OF THE SYSTEM 53

THE SLAVE STATUS 55

THE HAREM, THE EUNUCHS, AND THE ROYAL FAMILY 56

OTHER OTTOMAN SLAVE-FAMILIES 58

CHARACTER OF OTTOMAN SLAVERY 60

CHAPTER III

THE RULING INSTITUTION: AS MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE
AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

I. THE MISSIONARY MOTIVE 62

THE OTTOMAN ATTITUDE 63

OTHER MOTIVES FOR INCORPORATING CHRISTIANS 65

THE REQUIREMENT OF CONVERSION 66

SINCERITY OF CONVERSION 68

EFFECT OF THE PROCESS 69

II. THE EDUCATIONAL SCHEME 71

THE COLLEGES OF PAGES 73

THE HAREM 78

THE AJEM-OGHLANS 79

ADVANCEMENT BASED ON MERIT 82

PUNISHMENTS 88

CHAPTER IV

THE RULING INSTITUTION: AS AN ARMY

THE MILITARY ASPECT 90

THE JANISSARIES 91

THE SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE 93

THE SPAHIS OF THE PORTE 98

THE FEUDAL SPAHIS 100

OFFICERS OF THE FEUDAL SPAHIS 103

OTHER BODIES OF TROOPS 105

DISCIPLINE AND ARDOR 108

THE SUPREME COMMAND 109

INDIVISIBILITY OF THE ARMY 111

CHAPTER V

THE RULING INSTITUTION: AS A NOBILITY AND A COURT

I. PRIVILEGES OF THE KULLAR 114

NOBILITY NOT HEREDITARY 117

II. CHARACTER OF THE SULTAN’S COURT 120

ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSEHOLD 123

THE HAREM 124

THE INSIDE SERVICE 126

THE OUTSIDE SERVICE 128

THE CEREMONIES OF THE COURT 133

INFLUENCE OF THE COURT 141

CHAPTER VI

THE RULING INSTITUTION: AS GOVERNMENT

SUMMARY 146

FUNCTIONS OF THE OTTOMAN GOVERNMENT 147

THE SULTAN AS HEAD OF THE STATE AND OF THE GOVERNMENT 150

THE SULTAN AS LEGISLATOR 152

THE LEGISLATION OF SULEIMAN 159

THE VIZIERS 163

THE DEFTERDARS OR TREASURERS 167

TAXATION IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE 175

SULEIMAN’S INCOME 179

THE NISHANJI OR CHANCELLOR 182

THE DIVAN OR COUNCIL 187

THE RULING INSTITUTION AS A WHOLE 193

CHAPTER VII

THE MOSLEM INSTITUTION OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION 199

FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE MOSLEM INSTITUTION 200

THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM 203

CLERGY, SEIDS, AND DERVISHES 206

JURISTS AND THE MUFTI 207

THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM 215

THE MOSLEM INSTITUTION AS A WHOLE 224