This highly-praised and authoritative account surveys the history of the Ottoman Empire from its obscure origins in the fourteenth century, through its rise to world-power status in the sixteenth century, to the troubled times of the seventeenth century. Going beyond a simple narrative of Ottoman achievements and key events, Colin Imber uses original sources and research, as well as the rapidly growing body of modern scholarship on the subject, to show how the Sultans governed their realms and the limits on their authority.
A helpful chronological introduction provides the context, while separate chapters deal with the inner politics of the dynasty, the court and central government, the provinces, the law courts and legal system, and the army and fleet. Revised, updated and expanded, this new edition now also features a chapter on taxation and incorporates the most recent developments in the field throughout.
'Colin Imber has expanded and updated his masterly survey of the Ottoman state down to the mid-seventeenth century to take account of important recent developments in the field, and to add a lucid account of the labyrinthine Ottoman taxation system. He has produced a valuable and informative study which manages to combine real in-depth insights into the institutions and the remarkably 'other' power structures of the Ottoman empire with a vigorous and often pithy style which wears its learning lightly. A must for all actual and wanna-be Ottomanists.' - Colin Heywood, University of Hull, UK
'Colin Imber's book remains the best overview of the early Ottoman institutions. The updates and the addition of a new chapter on taxation make it even better.' - Gábor Ágoston, Georgetown University,USA, co-author of the Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire
Maps
Preface to the Second Edition
Chronology
The Dynasty
Recruitment
The Palace
The Provinces
The Law
Taxation
The Army
The Fleet
Some Conclusions
Notes
Glossary
Sources Quoted
Bibliography
Index
COLIN IMBER was Reader in Turkish at the University of Manchester, UK until his recent retirement.
Description
This highly-praised and authoritative account surveys the history of the Ottoman Empire from its obscure origins in the fourteenth century, through its rise to world-power status in the sixteenth century, to the troubled times of the seventeenth century. Going beyond a simple narrative of Ottoman achievements and key events, Colin Imber uses original sources and research, as well as the rapidly growing body of modern scholarship on the subject, to show how the Sultans governed their realms and the limits on their authority.
A helpful chronological introduction provides the context, while separate chapters deal with the inner politics of the dynasty, the court and central government, the provinces, the law courts and legal system, and the army and fleet. Revised, updated and expanded, this new edition now also features a chapter on taxation and incorporates the most recent developments in the field throughout.
Reviews
'Colin Imber has expanded and updated his masterly survey of the Ottoman state down to the mid-seventeenth century to take account of important recent developments in the field, and to add a lucid account of the labyrinthine Ottoman taxation system. He has produced a valuable and informative study which manages to combine real in-depth insights into the institutions and the remarkably 'other' power structures of the Ottoman empire with a vigorous and often pithy style which wears its learning lightly. A must for all actual and wanna-be Ottomanists.' - Colin Heywood, University of Hull, UK
'Colin Imber's book remains the best overview of the early Ottoman institutions. The updates and the addition of a new chapter on taxation make it even better.' - Gábor Ágoston, Georgetown University,USA, co-author of the Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire
Contents
Maps
Preface to the Second Edition
Chronology
The Dynasty
Recruitment
The Palace
The Provinces
The Law
Taxation
The Army
The Fleet
Some Conclusions
Notes
Glossary
Sources Quoted
Bibliography
Index
Authors
COLIN IMBER was Reader in Turkish at the University of Manchester, UK until his recent retirement.
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