SkillBuilder discussion Historical questions 1. How did the meeting room’s design and decoration reflect the power and authority of the Ottoman Sultan and his Imperial Council? 2. In what ways might the
SOURCE1 The Imperial Council meeting room in Topkapı Palace
presence of tourists in the modern photograph
influence our perception of the historical significance of the Imperial Council meeting room? 3. How might the layout of the Imperial Council meeting room have aided governance and decision- making in the Ottoman Empire?
Managing the provinces The empire was divided into provinces called eyalets , each governed by a provincial ruler appointed by the Sultan. These governors were given significant freedom in return for maintaining order, collecting taxes, providing soldiers when needed, and applying Ottoman law. Eyalets were also allowed to keep practising local religions and customs. 4.2.2 The millet system One of the most remarkable features of Ottoman rule was the empire’s method of governing people of different faiths. Rather than forcing everyone to follow Islam, the Ottomans developed the millet system — a way to give people religious freedom. Each major religious group in the empire was organised into a millet (nation) with considerable autonomy . The largest was the Muslim millet , followed by the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Christian and Jewish millets . Each community could follow its own religious laws, run its own schools, and handle matters like marriage through its own courts. Religious leaders acted as both spiritual guides and community administrators, responsible for maintaining order and collecting certain taxes from their people. This system helped keep peace between different religious groups and made the vast empire easier to govern. Local communities could maintain their traditions while still being part of the larger Ottoman state. It also provided the empire with steady tax revenue, as non-Muslims paid a special tax called the jizya in exchange for protection and religious freedom. The millet system also had its limitations. While religious minorities enjoyed significant freedoms, they faced certain restrictions. Non-Muslims paid higher taxes than Muslims and couldn’t serve in the highest government positions. Having different legal systems operating also led to conflicts when disputes arose between members of different millets .
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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