Abstract :
In this essay, I look into the growth in the Ottoman ilmiye hierarchy, and
its emergence as a distinct career path, through an analysis of the
backgrounds and careers of forty-nine officials who reached the highest
four ilmiye positions. The analysis reveals that towards the middle of the
sixteenth century new teaching and kadılık offices absorbed the growing
number of ilmiye officials. After 1570, limitation of tenure periods
and rules for promotion and removal were introduced to facilitate the
employment of more officials. Meanwhile, greater emphasis was placed
on receiving one’s education and obtaining teaching positions in the
central cities, especially Istanbul. Those scholars educated and taught in
areas distant from the centre lost the opportunity to reach the highest ilmiye
posts. In addition, after 1550, the sons of government officials were
increasingly favoured in the ilmiye hierarchy.
