The role of ayans in the Russo-Turkish war of 1768-1774

The number of studies on Ottoman ayans has increased in recent 20-30 years. These studies mainly focus on family history of ayans, their roles in local administration and their relationship with the state. However, the increase in number of the Ottoman Army in the 18th century, the transformation stemming from this increase and the place of ayans in this transformation are the topics which have not been studied so much so far. It is concluded in this research that the aforementioned increase led the Ottoman State to establish a new supply system. It is clear that ayans had a noticeable position in this system in which war contractors enabled the Ottoman Empire to assamble and provision the army in the case of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. War contractor ayans, in this war, recruited the majority of the troops that the Ottoman Empire demaned. Likewise, they provided the most of grain which the Ottoman army needed. As these war contractor ayans organized recruitment and purchase transacions other ayans helped them in these transactions on district level. The collaboration with ayans in this way enables the Ottoman Empire assable and supply a bigger army. Moreover, it is said that the Ottoman Empire stayed on the battlefield at least one more year thanks to the troops which were financed by ayans in last two years of the war. The active role of ayans in suppling the army enabled them to win a seat in statecraft. Firstly, some of the ayans who were awarded with the title of kapıcıbaşı were granted with the rank of vezir. Thus they entered the ruling class.