Devşirme system

The Devşirme system was an Ottoman Empire practice from the 14th to 17th centuries where Christian boys from conquered territories were taken, converted to Islam, and trained to serve in the empire's military or administration. This process aimed to create a loyal and skilled workforce, notably producing the Janissaries, an elite infantry corps. The system allowed the empire to utilize talent from diverse regions, integrating conquered populations into its governance structure, while also solidifying Ottoman control over their diverse empire.