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Dey (Arabic: داي) was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers ( Algeria ) under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards. Twenty-nine ''deys'' held office from the establishment of the deylicate until the French conquest; 14 of them were assassinated.

The ''dey'' was chosen by local civilian, military, and Pirate leaders to govern for life and ruled with a high degree of autonomy from the Ottoman Sultan . The main sources of his revenues were protection payments rendered by the Barbary Pirates , who preyed on Mediterranean shipping, and the Slave Trade , most of the slaves being persons who had been captured by the pirates.

The ''dey'' was assisted in governing by a ''divan'' (ديوان) made up of the Chiefs of the Army and Navy, the Director of Shipping, the Treasurer-General and the Collector of Tributes.

The ''dey's'' realm was divided into three provinces (Constantine, Titteri and Mascara), each of which was administered by a '' Bey '' (باي) whom he appointed.

The rule of the ''deys'' came to an end on 5 July 1830 , when Hussein Dey (1765–1838) surrendered to invading French forces.


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