- Sultan – the absolute ruler of the Ottoman Empire, with both religious and political authority
- Grand Vizier – the Sultan’s chief minister and head of the imperial bureaucracy
- The Ulema – religious scholars and jurists who played a vital role in education, law, and governance
2. The Military Class
- Janissaries – an elite infantry unit of the Ottoman army, made up of young boys who were forcibly conscripted from Christian families and converted to Islam
- Sipahis – cavalry soldiers who held large estates in exchange for military service
- Azaps – auxiliary troops who served on foot or as light cavalry
3. The Guilds
- Artisans and merchants were organized into guilds, which regulated their trades, set prices, and trained apprentices
- The guilds were also responsible for providing social welfare to their members, such as assistance in times of illness or unemployment
4. The Peasants
- The vast majority of the population was made up of peasants who worked the land
- Peasants were often burdened with heavy taxes and labor obligations, and they had few rights
5. Women
- Women in the Ottoman Empire had few legal rights, and they were considered to be the property of their husbands or fathers
- However, women did have some opportunities for education and employment, especially in the fields of medicine and teaching
- Women could also own property and manage their own businesses
6. Non-Muslims
- The Ottoman Empire was a multi-religious society, and non-Muslims were granted a degree of religious freedom
- However, non-Muslims were subject to certain restrictions, such as bans on holding certain public offices and owning firearms
- Non-Muslims also had to pay a special tax, called the jizya