Before ending the previous chapter, the writer pauses to reflect with gratitude on the happiness and freedom of his own country. He compares the insecurity and fear found in the Ottoman Empire with the safety enjoyed at home.
In a well-governed country, under a gracious and wise prince, people live without constant fear of sudden punishment. They are protected by stable laws. A man may work hard, improve his land, and enjoy the fruit of his labor. He may buy fields and houses with confidence that they will remain his property.
Not only can he enjoy his wealth openly, but he can also leave it to his children. His inheritance passes peacefully to the next generation. This security encourages industry, improvement, and honest pride in success. Men dare to build fine homes, plant orchards, and increase their estates because they trust that their efforts will benefit their families in the future Istanbul Old City Tours.
Such liberty and protection are seen as true blessings. They create happiness, encourage hard work, and strengthen the nation.
The Policy of Increasing Population
Every great empire in history has understood one important truth: power depends on people. A large and strong population is the foundation of military strength and lasting success. No empire can grow or even continue without enough people to defend it, cultivate its lands, and settle new territories.
A powerful nation needs soldiers for war. But it also needs farmers, builders, and settlers. After land is conquered by the sword, it must be planted, guarded, and organized. Without people to live in and protect new lands, victory in battle has little value.
The Turks understood this principle well. They developed different methods to increase their population and strengthen their empire. This was not done by chance, but by careful policy.
It is difficult to understand how one single nation, even if brave and successful in war, could produce enough natural-born subjects from its own families to fill a vast empire. War itself reduces population through death and destruction. If an empire relied only on its original stock, it might soon become weak.
For this reason, the Ottoman Empire sought other ways to increase its numbers. Conquered peoples were absorbed into the empire. Some were settled in new lands. Others were trained for military or civil service. In this way, the empire constantly renewed and enlarged its strength.
A growing population meant more soldiers for battle and more workers for peace. It ensured not only conquest, but also possession and security. Without such careful attention to numbers, even the greatest empire would slowly decline.