Ottoman Mulâzemet System in the First Half of the 16th Century in the Light of a New Document

Abstract

Mulazemet was a prerequisite for joining the Ottoman ilmiye establishment. This paper is a study of a mulazemet register dated 906-911 Hijri (1501-1506), the earliest mulazemet register found so far. It shows that the mulazemet system gained its shape and form in the reign of Bayezid II. Although it is known that mulazemet system was in use since the end of the 15th century, how it was applied has remained obscure. It is generally accepted that mulazemet system was systematized by Ebussuud Efendi in the second half of 16th century during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Beginning with İsmail Hakkı Uzunçarşılı, several researchers have studied different aspects of the issue, still, the development of the mulazemet system has remained in the dark. A detailed analysis of this register shows that mulazemet was already a systematized practice during the reign of Bayezid II.