Timar holders were individuals in the Ottoman Empire who received land grants known as timar in exchange for military service. These grants provided them with the right to collect taxes from the land, which they used to support themselves and their troops. The system was essential for maintaining the empire's military structure, as it incentivized loyalty and service among the nobility. The timar system was part of a broader administrative framework that included other land grants like zeamet and has. Timar holders played a crucial role in local governance, often acting as both military leaders and local administrators, ensuring the empire's control over its vast territories.