Türkmen Voyvodası, tribesmen and the Ottoman State, (1590-1690)

Abstract

The Turcomans were one of the most dynamic elements in the Ottoman history. The Ottomans had to cope with those forceful nomads, while consolidating their dominance over Anatolia. Although there was a clear tendency towards sedentarization during sixteenth century, a visible revival of nomadism is observed in Anatolia during the seventeenth century. According to the contemporary chronicles, the Turcomans tend to have maintained their dynamism throughout the seventeenth century. On the other hand, in this period the Türkmen voyvodalığı appeared as a new desirable post over which there were great struggles, especially led by the kapıkulu sipahs. The office of the Türkmen voyvodalığı played a key role in many rebellions of the seventeenth century. This thesis attempts to deal with the Türkmen voyvodalığı in the period between 1590-1690. Basing on understanding what the Türkmen voyvodası was, it tries to shed light upon the nomadic groups generally, particulary the Turcomans, in the seventeenth century.