A "ghulam" is a term used in historical contexts to refer to a slave or servant, particularly in the Islamic world. The word originates from Arabic and has been used in various cultures to describe individuals who were often captured in wars or born into servitude. Ghulams could serve in different capacities, including military roles, and some even rose to significant positions of power. In the context of the Ottoman Empire, ghulams were often young boys taken from their families and trained as soldiers in the elite Janissary corps. They were typically converted to Islam and received education and military training, which allowed them to gain status and influence within the empire.