The government of the Ottoman Empire in the time of Suleiman the MagnificentLybyer, Albert Howe
History
The government of the Ottoman Empire in the time of Suleiman the Magnificent
Lybyer, Albert Howe
Süleyman I, Sultan of the Turks, 1494 or 1495-1566; Turkey -- Politics and government
A _Chakirji-bashi_, chief Vulturer, and a _Shahinji-bashi_,
chief Falconer. The first has a hundred and fifty aspers, and
the other has eighty; with _Kiayas_, lieutenants,[767] and
others, with ten to twenty-five aspers each per day. Under
these are about two hundred _Zanijiler_,[768] only a hundred of
whom have ten aspers a day, and the others have feudal income,
or exemption from taxation. And they take the field when the
Signor has need.
A _Jebeji-bashi_, chief armorer. He has sixty aspers, a _Kiaya_
and a secretary with twenty aspers each. He has under him about
one thousand five hundred _jebejis_, with seven to twelve
aspers. These all go on foot when the Signor takes the field.
A _Topji-bashi_, chief of artillery. He has seventy aspers, a
_Kiaya_ [and] secretary with twenty aspers: and under him are
two thousand _Topjis_ with six to ten aspers, and they go on
foot.
An _Arabaji-bashi_, chief wagoner. He has forty aspers, a
_Kiaya_ [and] secretary with twenty aspers: and under him three
thousand _Arabajis_ with three to six aspers each.
A _Mihter-bashi_, or chief of trumpeters and drummers. He has
thirty [aspers] per day, and under him two hundred _Mihters_,
part of them on foot and part on horseback with three to five
aspers per day.
An _Emir-Alem Agha_, who carries the standard of the Signor.
He has two hundred aspers a day, and is captain of all the
musicians.
An _Arpa-emini_, who is Provider of the grain, with a
Lieutenant and a Chancellor.[769] He has sixty aspers, the
Lieutenant thirty and the Chancellor twenty: this _Arpa-emini_
has under him twenty persons who receive among them all about
eight hundred aspers.
A _Shehr-emini_,[770] or Commissioner of public works, who
takes care of the streets of Constantinople, and also of the
road when the Signor goes forth to war: and he has charge also
of public buildings, fountains, and aqueducts. He has fifty
aspers, and keeps under him four hundred men: among all of
these is given a thousand aspers. He has also a _Kiaya_ and
secretary with about thirty-eight aspers each.[771]
A _Berat-emini_, who is deputed to distribute the ordinances
of the Signor in writing and who receives the fees; and he has
forty aspers, with two secretaries, and two superintendents
with twenty aspers each.
A _Terjuman_,[772] or interpreter of all the languages. This
position is highly reputed in proportion to the worth and
intelligence of him who holds it. He has five hundred ducats
of fixed income each year, and has also a like sum from feudal
grant, and more than four times as much of extraordinary
income; and he is wont to be highly respected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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