From the Balkans to Istanbul: The Legal Politics of Social Mobilities through Devshirme in the Ottoman Empire from the 14th to the 17th Century
Abstract
The Ottoman Empire rose to prominence as a dominant force from the 13th to the 19th centuries, establishing a vast empire and nurturing cultures that continue to enrich global heritage today. A notable feature of their sociopolitical structure was the practice of devshirme. This unique policy facilitated new forms of social mobility by transforming Balkan Christian youths into Muslim elites serving the sultan. This strategy significantly bolstered the Ottomans' ability to annex European territories over several centuries. In this context, the following discussion explores various aspects, including the origins of Devshirme as a pivotal legal policy, the extent of social mobility during the 1400s and 1600s, and the methodologies employed within Devshirme to strengthen the empire's stability. A historical methodology will be used, incorporating heuristic steps that begin with verification and historiographic analysis. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that the fundamental aim of the devshirme was social engineering, intended to maintain control over subjugated regions in Europe. Moreover, the social mobility fostered by this policy transformed the lives of Christian working-class children into elite status, with some even rising to become the sovereign's most trusted advisors. Finally, the recruitment strategies for the Devshirme involved selecting children for educational institutions, providing them with training, and assigning roles that matched their abilities.
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