Browsing by Subject "Mahmud II"

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Open Access
Did the Ottomans see UFOs? An 1838 Ottoman document about unusual celestial phenomenon
(Institut d’Études balkaniques & Centre de Thracologie, 2019) Radushev, Evgeni; Sabev, O.
The paper deals with an Ottoman document preserved in the Oriental Department of Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library in Sofia. The document reveals that in October 1838 a heavy storm broke over in the night, followed by appearance of a round-shaped bright light. It illuminated the whole horizon and afterwards broke into pieces that fell down on the earth. The unusual celestial phenomenon was observed by the Ottoman soldiers camping nearby Mardin as well as the locals. They reported the case to the sultan, who was informed also of the opinion of the local men of religion, whose interpretation associated the phenomenon with a divine sign of forthcoming military victories.
Open Access
Ottoman military recruitment and the recruit : 1826-1853
(2005) Şimşek, Veysel
This thesis attempts to offer an account of Ottoman military recruitment, and those who were recruited in the era between 1826 and 1853. The period in question marks an era of significant reforms, including the establishment of a European-style standing army, manned by conscripts. This study tries to reveal some aspects of Ottoman conscription, which was forcibly imposed to raise the new army, including its origins, recruiters and recruitment procedures. While illustrating this point, emphasis was not only given to laws and regulations, but also to their practice. The thesis argues that the weakest members of Ottoman society were destined to be forcibly recruited into the army, while stronger members were often able to avoid it, even after Tanzimat and military reforms of 1846. Finally, it tries to reflect the common subjects’ and soldiers’ responses to the military recruitment, which were often manifested as discontentment, resistance, evasion and desertion, especially in its initial stages.