Government and Administration of the Ottoman Empire - Essay Example

?Ottoman Empire: A Comparison of government and administration, military strength and economy between the golden age and in the decline. IntroductionThe Ottoman Empire is one of the longest and largest empires of the world. It was founded in 1299 by the ruler, Osman I, by whose name the word ‘Ottoman’ is emerged, and lasted up to 1923 with establishment of the Republic of Turkey. The Empire was a strong force in the Middle East and it had extended its territories to all the sides. The Byzantine capital, Constantinople fell in the hands of the Ottoman ruler, Mehmed II thus making an end to the Roman Empire. After the fall of Roman Empire in 1453 the Ottoman Empire witnessed a fast extension to far and wide. In the 15th and 16th century the Empire was extended to Europe, Africa, and Asia. It was during the period of the emperor, Suleiman the Magnificent who ruled during the 16th century witnessed the golden age of the Empire. He had made use the agencies like military and government efficiently and further through magnificent administration of both economy and military he could capture many of the places on all sides of his boundary. The Ottoman Empire’s contribution to the world is immense in the fields of art and architect, military, economic measures and administrative reforms. It can be witnessed that the dominance of the Empire in the golden age turned to be a defect in the decline period. So, in the present essay, an attempt is made to analyze the areas as, government and administration, military strength and economic power of the Ottoman Empire in golden age and in decline period. Government and Admiration: Government and administration decide the ups and downs of an Empire and it was true in the case of the Ottoman Empire. For many years the Ottoman government was ruled by very efficient leaders. It can be seen in the golden age that the officials chosen by the Ottomans was based on merit and so Arabs and non-Turks could associate with government and military even in high positions (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.476). This method was an example for the effectiveness of the Ottomans. So, any of the subject, irrespective of any nationality could serve in the administrative section of the Empire. The prime minster was usually selected from a group who were trained administration from the palace school. The sultans ruled the empire by the help of the imperial council headed by the Prime Minister (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.476). But, towards the 17th and 18th centuries political changes caused for the decline of the empire. “The practice of raising the ruler’s sons as indulged prisoners in the palace to prevent rebellions contributed to a long series of uninformed, inexperienced, and often debauched sultans and shahs” (Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, Ch.6 p.189-190). The emperor governed the country through different religious communities but these communities later became powerful and so the emperor’s control over them was weakened (Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, p.479). Moreover, the Ottoman state was not centralized and so the control of the imperial was difficult. All these factors of loose administration and changes contributed for its decline which came in the 18th century. Military Strength: Military strength was the once the major domain of the Ottoman Empire. Until 1600 the weapons used by the Ottomans were the supreme in Europe. “The Ottomans adopted gunpowder weapons, especially cannons, which were often built and operated by mercenary Hungarian Christians in Ottoman service” (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.476). Until 1600 the weapons used by the Ottomans were the supreme in Europe. The navy of the Ottoman led by the Muslim refugees from Spain was very excellent (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.476). The Ottoman military during its golden age was very powerful. By using people belonging to different nationalities the Ottoman rulers could make the expertise of these in people in their arsenal. The Ottoman military conquered many nations during its golden age. The military force at the golden time of the Ottoman Empire was excellent but towards the end of the Ottoman period military caused some for its decline. It is said that “The discipline among the janissary military forces weakened and the officers insisted on spending winters in Istanbul, thus limiting military campaigns to warm weather months” (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.479). So, after sometimes the training system for the young men came to an end. The decline of the military force came with the failure in military technology. The European military technology increased whereas the Ottoman technology failed before the opponents. Towards the end the military was in utter failure. It says, “Practicing brigandage, they are not satisfied with free fodder for their horses and food for their own bellies from the villages they meet” (Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, Ch.6, p.193). And so the soldiers attempted to grab from the villagers and the disciplined army considered only each one’s gain. This marked for the decline of the Empire. Economic Power: The Ottoman Empire in its golden age was set on a stable economy. It is said, “Istanbul and other major cities served as centers for transregional trade, where merchants from different lands bought or sold European woolens, Persian silk, Chinese porcelain, Indian spices, Arab sugar, and Anatolian iron” (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.477). The market was governed by artisan and merchants guilds with elected leaders. There was a systematic structure for the market and so the economy of the country during the golden age flourished. The Ottoman could control the overland trade routes between Europe and the Indian Ocean (New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750, p.475). There are a lot of reasons for the decline of the economic power of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed Pasha, an Ottoman treasury official wrote the book, The Book of Counsel For Viziers and Governors, states the failings of the Empire. He says, “Along with battlefield defeats fiscal crises, internal turmoil, and palace intrigues, another sign of Ottoman decline in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was the appearance of numerous plans for reviving the empire’s fortunes” (Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, ch.6, p.190). It paved way for the decline of the Ottoman Empire. It was not only the officials but rulers also contributed for the decline. “Rulers themselves added to the financial strain by spending large sums on court life, the arts, and ambitious building projects” (Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, ch.6, p.189). In addition to this the market prices were not set on the correct method and so there happened irregularity in the market prices. “Under such circumstances everyone buys and sells as he pleases.” Further the writer says, “The fruiterers and merchants put a double price on provisions and supplies and reap a harvest of profits. They rob people….” (Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, ch.6, p.194). So the decline was immense in the area of economy of the county. Conclusion: After analyzing the Ottoman Empire in its golden age and in its decline it can be seen that the loose administration and changes in the politics caused the corner stone of its decline. Once the ruler was inefficient it was easier for the neighboring states to revolt against the Ottoman reign. The looseness of the administration and government led to the weakening of military power and finally the destruction of the economic background. Each and every cause led for the final decline of the Empire. The European states detached from the Empire and they became strong with new military technology and conquered many of the places of the Empire. The soldiers were mainly from the other countries and so they sided with the opponents and so the decline of the Empire became a reality with the decline of all other Empires in the history of World. Works Cited Africa, Southwest Asia, and India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries (Provided by customer). New Challenges for Africa and the Islamic World 1450-1750 (Provided by customer). Read More