Question

Why did the Ottoman state grant timars?

a) To promote agricultural reforms and land redistribution.
b) As a reward for military service and loyalty.
c) To encourage religious conversions among the populace.
d) For the establishment of cultural institutions and patronage.

Answer 1

The Ottoman state granted timars as a reward for military service and loyalty. Timar holders collected taxes and maintained order in specific areas. They also had an incentive to increase agricultural productivity to collect more taxes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Ottoman state granted timars as a reward for military service and loyalty. By granting timars, the state ensured the loyalty of members of the military. The timar holders were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order in a specific geographical area. If a timariot did not continue in the Sultan's service or if the population of the land declined, the timar could be revoked. Moreover, the timariots had the incentive to make the lands they controlled more agriculturally productive in order to collect more taxes.