BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : SLAVERY IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ( TURKEY )

Slavery was an important part of the Ottoman Empire, Slaves from other groups were allowed as late as 1908  and female slaves were still sold in the Ottoman Empire. A member of the Ottoman Slave Class called the Kul in Turkish could achieve high status. Harem guards and Janissaries are some of the better known position a slave could hold, but slaves were actually at the forefront of Ottoman Politics. The majority of officials in the Ottoman Government were bought as slaves, raised free and integral to the success of the Ottoman from the 14th century to the 19th century. By raising and specially trained slaves as Officials they created administrators with intricate knowledge of Government and fantastic loyalty, thus reducing corruption. So as an administrator with no ties in the region, he would not favour one person over another when granting contract.