How did the Ottoman fief system affect Bulgarian peasants?

Under the Ottoman fief system, Bulgarian lands were assigned to Turkish warriors known as spahis, who were authorized to collect taxes and impose obligations on the peasantry. Initially, the spahis lacked formal rights of lordship or judicial authority over the peasants, allowing many Bulgarian communities to maintain their traditional village administration and local customs regarding matters that did not involve Turkish interests.12

However, as the Ottoman Empire declined during the 17th and 18th centuries, central control weakened. Spahis began converting their fiefs into çiftliks—hereditary estates that operated outside government regulation. This transition significantly worsened the plight of the peasantry:3

• Increased Burdens: Owners of çiftliks frequently imposed higher taxes and labor obligations on the peasants.3
• Displacement: Peasants faced the risk of being driven off their land to make room for the resettlement of Turkish refugees from territories lost to Christian states.3
• Instability: The inability of the central government to curb the power of local officials and marauding bands of refugees created an environment of insecurity and hardship for the Christian population.34