Rise of Nationalism under the Ottoman Empire
From Freepedia
With the rise of national states and their histories, it is very hard to find reliable understanding on the Ottomans concept of the nation. The glue that kept the empire run for more than 700 years. If we belive that Ottomans were barbarians who killed everyone that do not agree with them, as depicted in Christian sources, we have hard time understanding how the anatolia and balkans not being assimilated during this many centuries long time. Unquestionably, understanding of otoman's concept of nation also helps us to understand what happened during the decline period of Ottoman Empire.
Contents |
The concept of Ottoman Nation
...the Ottoman Sultan did not introduce the millet system into their empire only on the capture of Constantinople, but were already applying its principles to the non-Muslim Communities under their rule. Islamic Society and west, Oxford 1957.The idea of millet goes back before the 15th century. The ottoman political tradition had a dualism. One either belonged to Ottomans (millet) or others (re'aya). All people living outside the Ottoman boarders are re'aya. The people who lived within the boarders were millet. For Ottomans Millet was not homogenous. There were four verticle cross sections. Jews, Armenians, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims. In governing the community, the Ottomans adopted systems which was already in effect when they arrive the region. Or in the Armenian case they helped to build one: In the "history of Armenia" published 1784-1786, Mik`ayel C`amc`ean described the founding of the Armenian Patriarche of Constantinople. According to this source Sultan Mehmet II symphetically disposed towards the Armenian nation. In 1461 Sultan kept his promise that was given many years before to bring the Bishop Yovakim to Istanbul. The patriarche in Istanbul has continued to exist ever since..
No one questions if you are millet or not, as the system was based on owning the land. If you lived and function within the boarder, your were part of the millet.
Timeline
Ethnic Albenian
Ethnic Greek
Ethnic Bulgarian
Ethnic Serbian
Ethnic Armenian
Ethnic Kurd
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