A system of forced labor or requisitioning of goods and services, historically used in Ottoman and other Middle Eastern empires; the practice of requiring subjects to provide supplies for military or government needs.
From Greek 'angareia' (forced service) via Latin and Medieval languages. The Greek word may derive from Persian 'angaria' (forced journey or service), reflecting ancient Persian administrative practices that influenced later empires.
The angaria system was a way empires could rapidly mobilize resources for war or projects—it was like a forced draft on the population, which is why it was often unpopular and sometimes led to rebellions.
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