Eyalets (Ottoman Turkish: ایالت‎ Turkish pronunciation: [ejaːˈlet]), (English: State) also known as beylerbeyliks or pashaliks, were a primary administrative division of the Ottoman Empire.From 1453 to the beginning of the nineteenth century the Ottoman local government was loosely structured. The Empire was at first divided into provinces called eyalets, presided over by a Pasha of three Tails (feathers borne on a state officer's ceremonial staff).