How did the Ottomans deal with their defeated enemies?

The Ottoman Empire, like many other empires throughout history, had to deal with defeated enemies. The Ottomans had a well-established system for handling the aftermath of wars and conflicts. Generally speaking, the Ottomans would offer defeated enemies the opportunity to become subjects of the Ottoman Empire, either as individuals or as entire communities.

The Ottomans were known for being relatively tolerant of other religions and cultures, and this was reflected in their treatment of defeated enemies. Those who agreed to become Ottoman subjects were allowed to retain their religious and cultural traditions, as long as they paid taxes and obeyed Ottoman law. In some cases, the Ottomans would even appoint members of defeated communities to positions of power within the Ottoman government.

However, the Ottomans could also be ruthless with their enemies. Those who refused to become Ottoman subjects were often killed or enslaved. This was especially true in cases where the Ottomans viewed their defeated enemies as a threat to their rule. In some cases, the Ottomans would also destroy entire cities and towns as a warning to others who might consider defying Ottoman authority.