he populations of the Ottoman Empire were divided into two categories: Muslim and Infidel. Until the second decade of the 16th century the second constituted the minority, due to the large non-Muslim population of the Balkans and Asia Minor. However, following Selim I annexation of Egypt and the Arab world, the situation was reversed. They enjoyed full legal rights, and their testimony in a court of law carried much more weight than that of a non Muslim. Moreover, they had the opportunity to rise in the administrative hierarchy. But these advantages brought with them some obligations; Muslims were also liable for tax and required to participate in the Sultan's military expeditions. The Muslim population was constantly expanding, partly as a result of the new blood coming in the Turkish tribes arriving in Asia Minor from the East, and partly as a result of conversion, sometimes voluntary and sometimes under duress. cases in point are Bosnia and Crete. In the 15th century, the first Ottoman troops and other Turkish tribes settled in deserted Balkan areas. they belonged to the Muslim millet and were subject to the authority of the seyh'ul Islam. In small towns and villages, the interpreter of the law, the judge, Kadis, was an important figure, as was the teacher of the law, the mufti. The majority of landowners, prominent merchant and state officials were Muslim.
