Ottoman governance

Ottoman governance was characterized by a centralized authority led by the Sultan, who held absolute power. It employed a sophisticated bureaucratic system that included various administrative officers responsible for different regions and functions. The empire was divided into provinces, overseen by governors known as beylerbeys. The Ottomans practiced millet system, allowing non-Muslim communities to govern themselves in matters of personal law. This fostered relative tolerance and coexistence among diverse ethnicities and religions. The legal system combined Islamic law with traditional customs, ensuring order and stability throughout the expansive and multicultural empire.