The Millet System

The Millet System was an administrative framework used by the Ottoman Empire to manage its diverse populations. Under this system, various religious communities (like Christians and Jews) were recognized as "millets," each with its own legal and educational systems, allowing them to govern themselves in personal matters such as marriage and religious practices. This approach enabled the empire to maintain social order and cultural diversity by granting a degree of autonomy to different groups while still under Ottoman control. It fostered coexistence and minimized conflict among the empire's varied ethnic and religious populations.