Askeri

Askeri ( Ottoman عسکری, from Arabic. Al - ʿ askar, soldier ) designated in the medieval caste system of the Ottoman Empire Exempt nobility. To askeri included all categories of persons who served the State directly, especially members of the Army ( seyfiye ), court officials ( mülkiye ), tax collectors ( kalemiye ) and clergymen.

Belonging to the state of askeri was from religious confession regardless. There was thus, for example, in the 15th century, the Ottoman army in half of the Rumelia from Christian cavalrymen. In some cases, the askeri could bequeath their privileged status to their offspring. The privileges of the askeri were securitized in the decrees of the Sultan, the jurisdiction over it was incumbent on the Kazasker. Below the askeri there was the taxable status of Reâyâ.

A change of the stand was initially rare. From the 16th to the 18th century, the division between Asker and Reâyâ was becoming increasingly blurred, and askeri peasant stock, who had hereditary wealth, were not uncommon. In the 18th century, the professional title also included merchants and craftsmen.