Ottoman Empire
The
Ottoman Empire was a
Turkish state in the
Middle East that comprised
Anatolia, part of
Southwest Asia,
North Africa and south-eastern
Europe in the
14th to
20th centuries, established by a tribe of
Oghuz Turks in western
Anatolia. The Ottoman Empire was among the world's most powerful political entities in the
16th and
17th centuries when the nations of Europe felt threatened by its steady advance through the
Balkans. It was also commonly known as the Khalifah, or in other words, the Islamic State.
The Empire was founded by
Osman I (in Arabic
Uthmān, hence the name
Ottoman Empire). It was sometimes referred to in diplomatic circles as the "Sublime Porte" or simply as "the Porte," due to the greeting ceremony the sultan held for foreign ambassadors at the Palace Gate. This also refers to the Ottoman Empire being the gateway between Europe and Asia. From
1453 the capital was
Constantinople, known in
Turkish as
İstanbul.
History
\nMain article: History of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire was founded by Osman I in 1281. As sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, the state grew into a mighty empire. The Empire reached its apex under Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century when it stretched from the Persian Gulf in the east to Hungary in the northwest; and from Egypt in the south to the Caucasus in the north. After its defeat at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, however, the empire began a slow decline, culminating in the defeat of the empire by the Allies in World War I.
State organisation
\nMain article: State organisation of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman state organisation was based on a hierarchy with the sultan in the top and below him his viziers, other court officials and military commanders.
Culture
\nMain article: Culture of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Turks had a high tolerance of alien cultures and religions, at least by medieval standards. Early on as the Turks drew out the Byzantine from Anatolia and later pursued them into Europe, it was a part of the Jihad (or Holy War) against Christianity and the first Ottoman rulers called themselves Gazi (Holy Warrior). But, as the Ottomans moved further west and the assimilation of the Greek and Balkan culture progressed, the Turkic leaders themselves absorbed some of the culture of the conquered people. The alien culture was gradually added to the Turks' own, creating the characteristic Ottoman culture. \nAfter the capturing of Constantinople in 1453, most churches were left intact and only a few (including, of course, Hagia Sophia) were turned into mosques. The Ottoman court life in many aspects resembled ancient traditions of the Persian Shahs, but had many Greek and European influences. For centuries, the Ottoman Empire was the refuge of the Jews of Europe.
Military
\nMain article: Military of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman military was a complex system of recruiting and fief-holding. In the Ottoman army, light cavalry long formed the core and they were given fiefs called timars. Cavalry used bows and short swords and made use of nomad tactics similar to those of the Mongol Empire. The Ottoman army was once among the most advanced fighting forces in the world being one of the first to employ muskets. The famous Janissary corps provided elite troops and bodyguard for the sultan. \nHowever, after the 17th century, the Ottoman could no longer produce a modern fighting force because of lack of reforms, mainly because of the corrupted Janissaries. The abolition of the corps in 1826 was not enough and in the war against Russia, the Ottoman Empire severely lacked modern weapons and technologies.
Provinces
\nMain article: Provinces of the Ottoman Empire
At the height of its power, the Ottoman Empire had 29 provinces plus three tributary principalities and Transsylvania, a kingdom sworn allegiance to the Porte.
Sultans
\nMain article: Osmanli Dynasty
The sultan, also known as the Padishah, in Europe sometimes the Grand Turk, was the sole regent and government of the empire, at least officially. The dynasty is most often called the Osmanli. The sultan enjoyed many titles such as Sovereign of the House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe. Note that the first rulers never called themselves sultans, but rather beys. See the article on state organisation of the Ottoman Empire for further information on the sultan and the structure of power.
External links
\n*Ottoman Web Site - Site with a lot of information on the Ottomans.\n*
Royal Ark: Turkey - Extensive site with a lot of detailed information.\n*
World Civilizations: The Ottomans - Comprehendible site that covers much about the state and government.\n*
The Ottomans - Good site that covers various aspects of the Ottoman Empire in detail.
References
\n*1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica\n*Colin Imber; The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650: the structure of power (2002) (ISBN 0-333-61386-4)\n*Gülru Necipoğlu; Architecture, ceremonial, and power: The Topkapi Palace in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries (1991) (ISBN 0-262-14050-0)
Category:Ottoman Empire \nCategory:Jewish Islam topics
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