Devshirme

Devshirme was a historical practice in the Ottoman Empire where young boys, typically from Christian families in the Balkans, were taken from their homes to serve the state. Starting in the 14th century, these boys, often aged 8 to 18, were converted to Islam and educated in various skills, particularly military and administrative roles. The most gifted were groomed to join the elite Janissary corps or high-ranking government positions. This system helped the Ottomans build a strong centralized state, but it also involved significant social upheaval and loss for the families affected.