Danubian border in the second half of the 16th century : revolution and transformation, tradition and continuation on the eve of a new era

Abstract

This study focuses on pre-Ottoman Turkic presence and their remainings as the first phase of the Turkic presence and examines how the Ottomans adapted, re-organized and re-structured the existing military organizations, distribution of population and settlement system against the changing priorities and military concerns of the central authority during the 15th and 16th century as the second phase of the Turkish presence in the Danubian frontier. As the turning point on the eve of a new era, this study examines reactions of pre-Ottoman military aristocracy most of whom were Christian former nobles excluded from the timar system. Their rebellious attapt broken out at the end of the 16th century was supported by the anti-Ottoman alliences formed on the north of Danube as a continuation of the rebellious tradition of the region. The resulting picture of the Danubian frontier in the 15th and 16th century reveals the tradition and continuation, revolution and transformation in the Nigbolu Sandjak during the period from the post conquest era to the end of the 16th century, on the eve of a new era.