beglerbeg

A beglerbeg, also spelled beylerbey or beylerbei, was a high-ranking official in the Ottoman Empire, equivalent to a governor-general or viceroy. The title literally translates to "lord of lords" or "chief of chiefs," indicating its elevated status within the administrative hierarchy. Beglerbegs were responsible for overseeing vast territories known as eyalets or beylerbeyliks, which were administrative divisions of the empire.

These governors held significant military and administrative authority within their respective regions. They commanded the local troops, collected taxes, administered justice, and were responsible for maintaining order and security. The position was typically held by experienced military commanders or trusted members of the imperial court. The number and size of these beylerbeyliks varied throughout Ottoman history as the empire expanded and contracted. Over time, the importance and scope of the beglerbeg's role evolved, and the administrative structure of the Ottoman Empire underwent several reforms, eventually leading to the abolition of the beylerbeylik system in favor of smaller provincial units.