Which statement best describes how non-Muslims fit into the social structure of the Ottoman Empire?

Question

They were subjects who could govern their own communities.
They were part of a lower class and were often enslaved by the ruling class.
They were part of the ruling class, but could never become sultans.
They were members of the royal court and were forced to serve in the military.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes how non-Muslims fit into the social structure of the Ottoman Empire is: They were subjects who could govern their own communities.

In the Ottoman Empire, non-Muslim subjects, known as "dhimmis," were allowed to practice their own religions and govern their own communal affairs under the millet system. This system provided a degree of autonomy to various religious communities, allowing them to manage their own social, educational, and legal matters while still being subject to the overarching authority of the Ottoman state.