A Sanjak was an administrative division in the Ottoman Empire, typically smaller than a province. It served as a local governance unit, often comprising several towns and villages. Each sanjak was overseen by a governor known as a sanjak-bey, who was responsible for maintaining order and collecting taxes. Sanjaks played a crucial role in the empire's administrative structure, facilitating the management of diverse regions. They were often grouped into larger units called eyalets or vilayets. The concept of sanjaks helped the Ottoman Empire maintain control over its vast territories, which spanned Europe, Asia, and Africa.