Slavery in the Ottoman Empire

Slavery was an important part of Ottoman society until the Ottoman Empire forbade the slavery of Caucasians (including Georgians, Armenians, and Circassians) in the early 19th century. As late as 1908, women slaves were still sold in the Ottoman Empire . In Istanbul ), about one-fifth of the population consisted of slaves. It was Arab traders who started the trans-Saharan slave trade , exporting black slaves from sub-Saharan African countries as far back as AD 1100 and the practice carried over into Ottoman reign. The Ottoman slave could achieve high status. Harem guards and janissaries are some of the better known positions a slave could hold, but slaves actually were at the forefront of Ottoman politics. The majority of officials of the Ottoman government were bought slaves, they were raised free, but they were integral to the success of the Ottomans from the fourteenth century to the nineteenth. By raising and specially training slaves as officials, not only did they get administrators with intricate knowledge of government and fanatic loyalty, but they cut back corruption as an administrator would have no ties in the region, thus he would not favor one person over another when granting contracts. Supply of Slaves Ottomans against Italians and Portuguese about (white slavery) Islam and slavery: Sexual slavery Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to History

Ottomans with Christian slaves, 1639 drawing. Slavery in the Ottoman Empire was a legal and important part of the Ottoman Empire 's economy and society until the slavery of Caucasians was banned in the early 19th century, although slaves from other groups were allowed. In Constantinople (present-day Istanbul ), the administrative and political center of the Empire, about a fifth of the population consisted of slaves in 1609. Even after several measures to ban slavery in the late 19th century, the practice continued largely unfazed into the early 20th century. As late as 1908, female slaves were still sold in the Ottoman Empire. Sexual slavery was a central part of the Ottoman slave system throughout the history of the institution. A member of the Ottoman slave class, called a kul in Turkish , could achieve high status. Harem guards and janissaries are some of the better known positions a slave could hold, but slaves were actually often at the forefront of Ottoman politics. The majority of officials in the Ottoman government were bought slaves, raised free, and integral to the success of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th century into the 19th. Many officials themselves owned a large number of slaves, although the Sultan himself owned by far the largest amount. By raising and specially training slaves as officials in palace schools such as Enderun , the Ottomans created administrators with intricate knowledge of government and fanatic loyalty. Supply of Slaves Ottomans against Italians and Portuguese about (white slavery) . Wolf Von Schierbrand (March 28, 1886 (news was reported on March 4)). Sights our correspondent saw for twenty dollars--in the house of a grand old Turk of a dealer" .

Ottomans with Christian slaves depicted in a 1608 engraving published in Salomon Schweigger 's account of a 1578 journey Slavery in the Ottoman Empire was a legal and significant part of the Ottoman Empire's economy and traditional society. The main sources of slaves were wars and politically organized enslavement expeditions in North and East Africa , Eastern Europe , the Balkans , and the Caucasus . It has been reported that the selling price of slaves decreased after large military operations. In Constantinople (present-day Istanbul ), the administrative and political center of the Ottoman Empire, about a fifth of the 16th- and 17th-century population consisted of slaves. Customs statistics of these centuries suggest that Istanbul's additional slave imports from the Black Sea may have totaled around 2.5 million from 1453 to 1700. Even after several measures to ban slavery in the late 19th century, the practice continued largely unabated into the early 20th century. As late as 1908, female slaves were still sold in the Ottoman Empire. Sexual slavery was a central part of the Ottoman slave system throughout the history of the institution. A member of the Ottoman slave class, called a kul in Turkish , could achieve high status. Eunuch harem guards and janissaries are some of the better known positions a slave could hold, but female slaves were actually often supervised by them. A large percentage of officials in the Ottoman government were bought slaves, raised free, and integral to the success of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th century into the 19th. Many slave officials themselves owned numerous slaves, although the Sultan himself owned by far the most. By raising and specially training slaves as officials in palace schools such as Enderun , where they were taught to serve the Sultan and other educational subjects, the Ottomans created administrators with intricate knowledge of government, and fanatic loyalty. The male establishment of this society created links of recorded information, even though speculation is present for European writings. However, women played and held the most important roles within the Harem institution. The New York Times . Chattel slavery in the Ottoman empire. Slavery and Abolition , 1 (1), 25-45.

Human enslavement in the Ottoman economy and society Ottomans with European slaves depicted in a 1608 engraving in Salomon Schweigger 's account of his 1578 journey in the Ottoman Empire Slavery in the Ottoman Empire was a major institution and a significant part of the Ottoman Empire 's economy and traditional society. The main sources of slaves were wars and politically organized enslavement expeditions in the Caucasus , Eastern Europe , Southern Europe , Southeast Europe , and Africa . It has been reported that the selling price of slaves decreased after large military operations. In Constantinople (present-day Istanbul ), the administrative and political center of the Ottoman Empire, about a fifth of the 16th- and 17th-century population consisted of slaves. Statistics of these centuries suggest that Istanbul's additional slave imports from the Black Sea have totaled around 2.5 million from 1453 to 1700. Even after several measures to ban slavery in the late 19th century, the practice continued largely unabated into the early 20th century. A member of the Ottoman slave class, called a kul in Turkish , could achieve high status. Eunuch harem guards and Janissaries are some of the better known positions an enslaved person could hold, but enslaved women were actually often supervised by them. However, women played and held the most important roles within the harem institution. A large percentage of officials in the Ottoman government were bought as slaves, raised free, and integral to the success of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th to 19th centuries. Many enslaved officials themselves owned numerous slaves, although the Sultan himself owned by far the most. By raising and specially training slaves as officials in palace schools such as Enderun , where they were taught to serve the Sultan and other educational subjects, the Ottomans created administrators with intricate knowledge of government and fanatic loyalty.