Apostasy Of Prisoners Of War [Example Of Austrian (Nemçe) Captives]

Slavery is an institution that has existed since ancient times. Slavery is a man’s acquiring a man as a property. An integral part of the social organization of the ancient periods, slavery have existed in all the states where wars have been made. However, no international treaty had been available with respect to the legal status of slavery. Although uncommon in the Ottoman Empire during the establishment period, with increasing number of wars, and in connection with the number of captives, the institution of slavery was formed. However, from the second half of the XV century, the vast majority of the slaves were either serving their masters, or working in workshops in the cities or in small work places. Taking place among the contrabands of war of the war veterans, the slaves were sold in the slave markets. Even though those slaves have converted to Muslim, their slavery status have continued. They have been in the service of their masters until they have been freed. Pursuant to Svisthov Treaty that has been signed with Austria in 1791, a new arrangement has been made with respect to status of the prisoners of war. According to the seventh article of the agreement in question, with the exception of those who have converted while in the status of captive (converted to Christianity while Muslim, and converted to Christianity while Muslim), all persons would be sent to their respective countries. Accordingly, as a result of the war with Austria, of those who were captured by the Ottoman soldiers and sold in the slave markets should also stay with their masters if converted to Islam. Those who maintained their lives as Christian should be bought from their masters and sent back to their countries. Slaves who have been sold in various regions, and being in the service of a person have been repurchased by the Ottoman Empire and delivered to Nemçe (Austria). In this study, people who were enslaved, their ages, genders and conversions, their new names and fates have been analyzed.

Keywords

Nemçe, Svishtov, conversion, prisoners of war, captures, slaves