The killing of brothers and the tax on young boys in the era of the Ottoman Empire by Talal Al-Turifi

In the depths of Ottoman history, where buried secrets and hidden truths are veiled by the curtain of time, comes the book by Professor Dr. Talal bin Khaled Al-Tarifi "The Killing of Brothers and the Ghulam Tax in the Era of the Ottoman Empire" as a lamp illuminating the mysterious past. Al-Tarifi delves into the profound depths of Ottoman politics, revealing layers of harsh decisions and cold policies that shaped the bones of this imperial colonial giant. Al-Tarifi opens wide the door to the practice of brother-killing, a bitter policy approved by sultans to protect their throne from treachery and coups. This dark aspect, rooted in the warlike culture of Central Asia, exposes the face of violence that can envelop despotic power and authority. On the other hand, the book examines the Ghulam Tax, a system by which children were kidnapped from their families and transformed into loyal soldiers who owed allegiance only to their master, the Sultan. This policy acts as a mirror reflecting the imperialist needs for expansion and control, opening a window to the human costs of building empires. Through this brave work, Al-Tarifi reshapes our perceptions of governance and authority in the Ottoman Empire, presenting a complex picture of loyalty and betrayal, courage and cowardice, woven into the vital fabric of this oppressive and tyrannical entity. "The Killing of Brothers and the Ghulam Tax in the Era of the Ottoman State" is not merely a history book, but an exploratory journey that takes us through the corridors of Ottoman time, revealing the pain and hope that accompanied the building and fall of one of the harshest empires in human history.