A thrilling account of the everyday life of Ottoman ulema based on unique quantitative data. It provides an understanding of what an average Ottoman alim's life looked like outside of the elite circles of scholars. A blend of institutional history of the Seyhülislam's Office and new roles and positions the ulema acquired within society during the final decades of the Empire.

Nadir Ozbek, Bogaziçi University, Turkey

This book provides an interesting reassessment of late Ottoman scholars and their place during a time of imperial transformation and reform. Using prosopographical analysis, Bektas's study paints a rich picture of Ottoman religious scholars as mobile, politically-engaged functionaries who not only responded to institutional and social changes happening around them, but were important forces in shaping their world.

Micah A. Hughes, Indiana University, USA

Through this seminal work on the history of Ottoman Ulema … Bektas's pioneering analysis of the Ulema in terms of their social origins, education and professional careers and experiences within the context of Istanbul as an educational hub is a genuine contribution to the field.

Imran H Khan Suddahazai, The One Institute, UK, The Muslim World Book Review

This work is a welcome addition to our understanding of the late Ottoman ulema and is an important reading for those working on Islam in the late Ottoman period. The work is a sustained study of the ulema that is based on archival materials and provides a nuanced portrayal of the ulema … It expands our understanding of who the ulema were and of their roles in late Ottoman society.

Turcica