[freddex]

I agree up to a point: There were peoples with their distinct cultures that the Ottomans conquered, the most prominent example being the Balkans. However, "nation" is an 18th/19th century idea. The notion that distinct peoples should form distinct and independent units of state called nations was no driving force in the medieval and early modern period, in which we see the forming of multi-national empires. I think you refer to this as well, I just wouldn't use the word 'nation' in the same way.