Albanian Nobility - Ottoman Empire

Ottoman Empire

Further information: History of Albania during Ottoman administration

A decisive point of the relation of Albanian nobility with Ottoman Empire was the Battle of Savra in 1385. After the Battle of Savra Albanian nobility became vassals of the Ottoman Empire.

Albanian nobility did not fight against Ottomans with united and compact forces like Serbian and Bulgarian aristocracy, but with small independent local rulers. Therefore the Ottomans, who were so cruel to the Serbian and Bulgarian nobility, were so conciliatory with the Albanian nobility.

When Albania became part of the Ottoman Empire it was divided into sanjaks with numerous timars. Many members of the Albanian nobility held high rank positions within Ottoman hierarchy then, like Skanderbeg and Ballaban Badera who were the Ottoman sanjakbeys. Some members of the Albanian nobility were Ottoman timariots. Through the implementation of the timar system the Albanian nobility was absorbed into the Ottoman military class within not more than two generations. They adopted the Ottoman titles like aga, bey or pasha.