Eyalet

An eyalet was an administrative division used by the Ottoman Empire, similar to a province or state. It was governed by a military and civil leader called a beylerbey or pasha, appointed by the sultan. Eyalets helped organize the empire's vast territories, managing local governance, taxation, and security. The size and boundaries of eyalets changed over time, reflecting political and administrative needs. This system allowed the Ottoman Empire to efficiently control diverse regions across a large area, from parts of Europe and Asia to North Africa.