Initiation Rituals and the Kadri Order
The Initiation of New Members Those who wished to join this religious order were required to complete a period of […]
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The Spread of a Dangerous Doctrine
This poisonous doctrine has spread widely in Constantinople. It has reached even the Seraglio, the palace of the Sultan, and
Sects and Heresies Among the Turks
It is commonly believed that there are seventy-two sects among the Turks, though the actual number is probably higher. The
Voluntary Marriage and Freedom of Choice
Marriage must always be voluntary. A bride or groom cannot be forced into marriage against their will. The decision to
The Turkish View of Ambassadors
In the Ottoman Empire, the Turks did not make distinctions between different types of foreign representatives. Whether a person was
Greater Security for Trade and Property
The special rule requiring written proof brought great safety to trade and to the estates of merchants. Before this protection,
The Tributaries of Georgia and Mingrelia
Georgia and Mingrelia were also among the lands that became tributaries to the Ottoman Empire. These regions were located between
The Sultan’s Table at the Vizier’s Expense
The Grand Signior often demands twenty dishes of meat, which is the usual amount served at his ordinary table. On
The Silent Language of the Ottoman Court
One of the most unusual features of the Ottoman court was the use of mutes, whose language of signs was
Confusion Among the Officers
The city was thrown into confusion and division. The officers and soldiers were uncertain about what to do next, and