The Duties of the Janissary Officers and Family Life
The Cook’s Important Role Within each Janissary chamber, the cook (Aşçı) held a position that was far more important than […]
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Auxiliary Military Forces in the Ottoman Empire
More Than the Regular Army The Ottoman Empire relied not only on its famous Janissaries, Sipahis, and Timariots but also
The Government of Baghdad (Babylon)
The Government of Baghdad, also called Babylon, was one of the most important provinces of the Ottoman Empire in the
Rebellions Among the Pashas
Throughout Ottoman history, there were occasional revolts by powerful Pashas who commanded their own armies. One notable example is when
Discipline and Obedience
The Turks believe that those who know how to obey are best prepared to govern. At first, young men in
The Fate of the Sultan’s Consorts After His Death
After the death of the Grand Signior, different rules applied to the women of the Seraglio depending on whether they
The Vizier Faces the Janissary Leaders
A Cold and Calculated Reception When the Grand Vizier arrived at the mosque, Bektas Aga did not come forward to
A Modest Apology for the Subject
The author begins by admitting that the subject of this discourse may appear unworthy of a statesman’s valuable time. Many
Artists Respond to Bulgaria’s Rich Inspiration
Artists were quick to take advantage of the favorable conditions they found in Bulgaria. Those who lived in the country,
The Leader of the Pilgrimage and the Gifts Sent to Mecca
Organizing the Pilgrimage The writer explains that the annual pilgrimage to Mecca involved many thousands of people. Because such a