“Conversion of War Captives in the Ottoman Empire During the 18th Century” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Sel Turhan

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Sel Turhan has published an article titled “Conversion of War Captives in the Ottoman Lands During the Eighteenth Century: Rules, Applications and Abuses” in the Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies.

The study delves into the intricate dynamics of religious conversion among war captives in the Ottoman Empire during the 18th century, focusing on its relationship with the captives' release processes.

Starting with the Treaty of Carlowitz, the article examines how international treaties influenced the treatment and release of captives. It sheds light on the exceptional cases where conversion excluded captives from release and investigates the methods used to verify conversions, along with pragmatic or manipulative practices observed in their implementation.

The study further explores whether conversions were voluntary or coerced, presenting examples to capture the complexities of the process. It also addresses the unique challenges faced by child captives, providing insights into an under-researched area of Ottoman legal and social history.

This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the Ottoman Empire's social, legal, and religious frameworks during a transformative historical period.