Social and economic history of the Ottoman Empire

The social and economic history of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted from the 14th to early 20th century, reflects a diverse society that managed trade, agriculture, and urban life across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Economically, it thrived through control of key trade routes, thriving markets, and a complex taxation system, while socially, it was a multicultural empire with Turks, Arabs, Europeans, and others coexisting through a layered social structure influenced by Islamic law, local customs, and imperial institutions. Over time, internal challenges and external pressures transformed its economy and social fabric, leading to modernization efforts and eventual decline.