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Although many studies related to male and female slaves in various parts of the Ottoman geography were carried out, it is a significant shortcoming that the slaves and concubines in Diyarbakir, where an important province center of the Ottoman Empire was located, have not been subject to any research until now. In this study, based on the urgent research needed mentioned above, very valuable data and findings about slaves and concubines in the Ottoman Diyarbakir were obtained. The number of slaves and concubines identified in the 18th and 19th centuries Diyarbakir (Āmid) kadi registers is 159. It was revealed that there were not many slaves and concubines in this relevant period of Diyarbakir. It was found that approximately one-third of all slaves and concubines identified became free, and they were successfully integrated into the economic and social life of the society as free individuals. Although the overwhelming majority of the slaves and concubines in the relevant period were Muslim, some non-Muslim slaves and concubines were also found. Information on the ethnic origins of slaves and concubines or the nations they belong to could also be obtained from some documents in the relevant registries. As it is possible to benefit from other documents in this regard, especially the estate records, they were found to be very informative and illuminating. Information on the origins of a total of 64 slaves and concubines has been identified in the relevant registries. According to this information, 7 slaves and 16 concubines are of Yazidi origin. This corresponds to 35.93% in proportion and constitutes the proportionally largest group of slaves and concubines in the relevant period. The second-largest group after Yazidis is followed by Persians with a rate of 23.43% (2 slaves and 13 concubines). Georgians (4 slaves and 6 concubines) and Arabs (blacks) (2 slaves and 8 concubines) take third place with a rate of 15.62%. The Ethiopian descent is in fourth place with 3 concubines (4.68%). This is followed by one concubine of possibly Berber or Bornavi descent and one slave of Armenian descent. Although taking a Muslim captive and enslaving a Muslim is not permissible according to Islamic law under normal conditions, there is a possibility that Persian slaves and concubines, which are encountered in the relevant records, are of Muslim origin. Although it was stated that Iranian prisoners of war could be enslaved between the 16th and 18th centuries in the Ottoman Empire and this practice started in the period of Kanûnî (r. 1520-1566), it has been observed that sufficient research has not yet been carried on the initiation and development process of this practice. However, it can be maintained that as of the 18th century, which includes the period we have examined, Persian Shias were enslaved. In addition, research revealed that some Yazidi communities, who were the subjects of the Ottoman Empire, could also be enslaved in case of them being active in rebellion against the Empire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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