This lecture aims to teach the roles of the ayans and the noble ayan families within the political structure of the Ottoman Empire starting from the Classical Age to the modern era of 19th century.

In this lecture, the roles and the duties of the ayans and the provincial power of the noble ayan families within the Ottoman political structure will be tought. Especially in the 18th century when the ayans started to emerge more powerful within the Ottoman state system, their roles and the duties started to change on behalf of them and against the central authority of the Ottoman government. Also in this lecture the effects of the Westernizaton process on this situation will be analyzed. And at last, the leading noble ayan families will be identified to the students.