General Levy People During 1683 - 1699 Wars

Abstract

This study has two aims. The first one is to reveal the social layers that were sent on military expedition within the framework of General Levy practice, which was declared by Ottoman Empire at the end of 17th century. The second aim is to determine the attitude adopted by these people who were sent to expedition against the participation. General Levy may be defined as calling everyone with sufficient power for a war to expedition if there is an invasion threat against a Muslim town. Rayah dealing with production and people of the pen who produce information are included as this theory involves all layers of the society. However, according to erkan-i erbaa theory, which is the basis of Ottoman state - people understanding, social layers should deal with their jobs only. It is clearly seen on the examined war that with the declaration of General Levy, all layers of the society like soliders, rayah, Muslim judge, mufti, merchant, sayyid were sent on an expedition. Thus, General Levy was applied at Ottoman Empire regardless of the social status of people when there is a need more than ordinary war conditions. Moreover, it is determined that there were no considerable resistance against this practice due to religious and legal pressures.