Comparison of Ruling Methods in Ottoman and Songhay Empires
Both similarities and differences are imminent in the ruling methods used by rulers in the legitimization and consolidation of power in Ottoman and Songhay empires. In both cases, the rulers lived reserved in safe places. In Timbuktu, the king lived in a constructed palace in the center of the city. From the Turkish letters, the garrison of Janissawas found in the citadel of Buda. The people in both scenarios have a standard way of respecting their leaders. The description of Timbuktu evidences this as the women were veiling their faces.
Similarly, the Turkish letters show that the janissaries used to go to the king in pairs, where they bowed before the king. They went to the king running and then touched the ruler’s hands with hyacinth showing etiquette. They both have a similar system of attacking their enemies. Are presented with the Turkish being accompanied by more than four hundred camels with bagged mules to war. The Timbuktu we are given with the king riding on camel and horses, which are led by servants where they would mount on these animals in times of fighting.
The description of the Timbuktu presents the king being the sole controller and commander of their army. He has horsemen exceeding three thousand and many bowed foot-soldiers. On the other hand, to the Turkish letters, there are no evident distinctions. Public service position is the determinant for the accorded defense regarding duties and delegations. The king in the Timbuktu has several judges, teachers, and priests all who support learning, as evidenced by handwritten books. It is the situation where new people in need to speak to the king must kneel before him. On the other hand, the Turkish letters indicate that there are many troops scattered all over the empire. Every district has its population, and the distribution of the Janissaries follows no city or borough intent for the protection of the Jews and other Christians from anything wrong or outrage.