Ottoman Empire’s devshirme system
Definition
The devshirme system was a practice by which the Ottoman Empire recruited boys from Christian families, educated them in Islam, trained them either for civil administration or for service in the elite Janissary infantry units.
Analogy
Imagine if a professional sports team, instead of drafting players who already know how to play the game, took individuals with no prior knowledge or skills. They then train these individuals intensively until they become top-level athletes. That's similar to what the Ottoman Empire did with the devshirme system.
Related terms
Janissaries: Elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops and bodyguards.
Sultan: The sovereign ruler of a Muslim country, particularly of the former Ottoman Empire.
Millets: Self-governing religious communities in the Ottoman Empire.
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