Osmanli Seferlerinde Orducu Esnafi
Military Artisans in Ottoman Campaigns

Summary/Abstract: Having existed since its foundation, a military character deeply embedded in the very fabric of the social and political structure of Ottoman Empire continued its reign for long years and created a way of life embracing the whole Ottoman World. Almost all state institutions were dedicated to working for military campaign preparations. This has affected all state institutions and their structures to some extent. The demands of the central state regarding campaign preparations led to various practices including but not limited to the timar regime, devshirmeh method, the Enderun, all the ordinary and extraordinary taxes, the issue of the security of roads, military constructions as well as the production and services provided by guilds who were local producers. This study is about the so-called “orducu” class (military artisans) who were guild members participating in military campaigns and who supplied the various needs of the Ottoman army, and their production.

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