The Ottoman Empire – A critical assessment

The Ottoman Empire was one of the largest Empires of the Muslim and the general world. They ruled over a large area including the north-African region, the Arab lands, modern day Iraq, modern day Turkey and European countries such as Hungary, Cyprus and Serbia. Their rule spanned from 15^th century to the early 20^th century. It was the Ottomans’ flexibility in enacting laws that allowed them to rule such vast stretches of land with culturally diverse populations. They treated their people well and even trained their slaves in skills of administration and allowed them to gain high positions in the government which is what allowed them to amass great wealth and prosperity. They accepted the diversity of their conquered lands and did not discriminate against people of other religions and cultures which further helped their state to flourish. They also encouraged people to become educated and promoted and appreciated the field of sciences which led the Ottoman Empire to be known as the center of scientific innovation and knowledge. The main driving force behind the success of the Ottoman Empire was the extremely efficient and professional military that allowed them to dominate the region. However, there was also a dark side to their rule. The Government was such that when the king died, his sons would engage in killing the rest of the brothers in order to claim the throne for themselves and this was accepted as the norm. Despite such a system, their civil administration was extremely efficient which is what allowed the Ottomans to be successful in ruling such a vast area.