Ottoman Empire

Ottoman Turks

• group of Turks led by Osman

• held power in part of the Anatolian peninsula

• expanded after the Seljuk empire collapse

Dynasty and Gov

• ruled by a sultan

• seat was hereditary

• declared themselves the caliph

  • caliph : chief Muslim leader; regarded as Muhammad’s successor

• Constantinople (Istanbul) was the capital, but conquered regions were governed by local rulers

• these rulers were appointed to collect taxes and maintained law; they were directly responsible to Sultan’s rule

Central Government

• Sultan + harem in Istanbul

• had an imperial council that met four days a week

• chief minister of the council was the grand vizier-led the meeting of the council; was the second highest ranking official

Religion

• Muslim; conquered people were not forced to convert but had to pay a tax

• Islamic law and customs were applied to Muslims and Sultans gave their religious authority to a group of his advisors called the ULFMA