The Devshirme: How the Ottomans Took 1 in 40 Sons

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Every seven years, Ottoman commanders gathered Christian youths across the Balkans through the Devshirme ("child levy"). Targeting rural boys aged 14–18 from every 40th household, only-sons were spared to keep farms taxable. While some families hid sons in caves or married them off early to exploit exemptions, others saw it as a path to elite royal power. Discover the ruthless system that built the Janissaries! #OttomanEmpire #Devshirme #Janissaries #HistoryShorts #BalkansHistory #MilitaryHistory

Published 2026-10-21 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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