Final answer:
The royal lineage of the Sultan was primarily maintained through the harem system, where multiple wives or concubines bore the Sultan's children. The Janissary system formed a loyal military corps from conscripted Christian boys via the devshirme system but was not directly involved in succession.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ottoman System for Maintaining Royal Lineage
The accurate system for maintaining the royal lineage of the Sultan was not the Janissary system itself, but rather a combination of the devshirme system and the institution of the harem. Within the devshirme system, Christian boys were conscripted and underwent forced conversion to Islam. Many were then trained to become administrative elites or soldiers, with some rising to prominent roles within the empire. However, this system was more focused on creating a loyal cadre of administrators and soldiers rather than securing the royal lineage.
The harem system operated alongside the devshirme in maintaining the Sultan's lineage. The Sultan would have multiple wives or concubines within his harem, often chosen from non-Turkish backgrounds, to bear him children, thus securing the succession. Women within the harem could gain significant power, especially if their children ascended to the throne. This dual system aimed to secure both the Sultan's authority and his lineage.
In contrast, the Janissaries were an elite military corps formed via the devshirme system. Though they held high status and could influence politics, their primary role was as soldiers and bodyguards to the Sultan, not as successors to him. Therefore, the correct answer for maintaining the Sultan's royal lineage was primarily through the institution of the harem, and the Janissary system was instrumental in maintaining the Sultan's power and providing a dependable military force.