What system did the Ottoman Empire use to recruit soldiers and bureaucrats from Christian families?

The correct answer, Devshirme, refers to a specific system employed by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the 17th century. Under this system, Christian boys from rural areas were taken from their families, converted to Islam, and trained to serve the empire. The Devshirme system was designed to create a loyal class of soldiers and bureaucrats who were fiercely devoted to the Sultan, as they were often raised in the palace and educated to assume positions of significant authority.

This method allowed the Ottomans to build a competent military force, notably the Janissaries, who served as elite infantry. The conversion of these individuals also facilitated their integration into Ottoman society. Unlike feudalism, which was characterized by land ownership and obligations between lords and vassals, or the Renaissance, which was a cultural movement focused on art and humanism in Europe, Devshirme was focused specifically on the direct recruitment and indoctrination of a particular group for state service. Therefore, it exemplifies a unique approach in the empire's governance and administration, differentiating it from other systems of military or bureaucratic recruitment during that era.