Final answer:
The 'devşirme' refers to the Ottoman practice of recruiting Christian boys to be enslaved, converted to Islam, and trained as soldiers or administrators, many serving as Janissaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ottoman institution called "devşirme" or "the collection" refers to the practice of recruiting Christian boys from the Balkans to be enslaved, converted to Islam, and trained to serve the Ottoman sultan. This system was essentially a form of taxation imposed on Christian territories under Ottoman control, where boys between the ages of eight and ten were taken from their homes approximately every three to five years. They received rigorous training and education, eventually converting to Islam, and many served in the elite military corps known as the Janissaries, while others took on important roles in palace administration or became scribes due to their intellect and capability.