From ThreadsOfTime

A City Occupied

After the Turkish occupation of Buda in 1541, the central and most fertile part of the country, the region of the Great Plain, became part of the great Ottoman Empire which stretched over three continents. The supreme ruler of the entire Hungarian territory was the Begler Bey of Buda, who, having the title of pasha, was directly responsible to the Sultan. The Ottoman system of taxation inflicted a heavy burden on the Hungarian serfs, and the law restricted their freedom of movement. The 'heathen' were not allowed to build stone houses and could not repair their damaged homes without permission. On the other hand, the Turks left the population to practice the religion in peace. When war broke out, the Ottoman army again spoiled, destroyed and plundered the country. At such times, Hungary became a veritable slave market; Asian slave traders traveled as far as Buda and transported thousands of slaves to the interior of the Ottoman Empire. The resulting sense of uncertainty forced the population to take refuge in the larger settlements, a movement which led to the depopulation and desolation of hundreds of villages.