The administrative structure of the Ottoman State during its classic period, the administrators representing the ruler’s authority are located at the top layer of the stratification. These are soldiers, bureaucrats, and clergymen. The other major element of the stratification system consists of the rayah (reaya). The peasants, merchants, and artisans are the components that create this layer (İnalcık, 2009, p. 256). Within this stratification system, the soldiers are responsible for the protection of the land and undertake essential functions in the operation of the Ottoman economy. For example, Ottoman cavalry corps (sipahiler) are responsible for collecting soldiers in wartime and a certain amount of the products produced by the villagers in the name of tax and transferring them to the Center. Finally, the principal responsibility of the Ottoman administrative structure, which represented the authority of the sovereign, was to keep everyone’s position within the group and to accomplish the functions of the group. Hence, social mobility was kept to a minimum in this administrative structure. 

The correct answer is A.