Fragrant Gardens and Converging Waters: Ottoman Governance in Seventeenth-Century Damascus

摘要: Author(s): Taylor, Malissa Anne | Advisor(s): Doumani, Beshara Abstract: This dissertation investigates the governance of seventeenth-century Damascus by examining claims upon productive capacity land, and collection redistribution agricultural taxes. The early modern Ottoman Empire--of which was a province--was large agrarian empire wherein interests numerous groups individuals converged around land its produce. In light centrality to both subjects state, management as resource has much tell us about what expected be in this period, at time before religious, economic, political or social authority had been disembedded from one another. this, is not different any other provincial town lying within empires Asia Europe; issues raised here are pertinent history Middle East alone but relevant states. inquiry into state governs how it does so starts with observation that literature conceives unified body people play roles allowing function. Through lens tax assessment collection, first chapter examines role played peasant cultivators villages surrounding Damascus. half explores prerogatives comparable fiscal military states shaped taxation policy seventeenth century. importance obtaining cash led only imposition new taxes updated registers Istanbul finance bureau, responsibility villagers for collection. argues where compliance concerned, most important governing village themselves. Examining interactions between villagers, judges, muftis farmers, agents strictly speaking, become authorized exercise power. concludes do merely maintain relationship government, rather, some sense they government form an integral part machinery.The question intersects Islamic law long historiography Empire societies general. However, shifts configuration religious temporal century issue whose confined regions world. Rather, expanding power proper `religion' politic widespread concern period. With mind, second third chapters explore changing legal powers sultan his control labor. Chapter two notes change meaning scope sultan's legislate access expansion legislative absorbed jurisprudence empire's jurist-scholars, creating specifically `Ottoman' practice scholarship. Starting sixteenth century, enacted laws--known `qanun'--regulate far greater detail rights obligations peasants soldier-tax collectors. What emerges right usufruct peasantry controlled dynasty's statutes rather than local administrators custom. fact concept eventually comes prevail Damascene suggests increasingly standardized across rural communities. despite Damascenes their own juridical traditions ran counter being promulgated sultan. we find juristic discussion very slowly idea boundaries imperial consequences. While demonstrates growing consensus wider matters pertaining lands treasury, legality tenure practices sanctioned remained controversial. limits pursue need fill coffers, treat taxpayers. There no debate among solvent treasury necessity. Without exception, keeping fertile distributing revenues appropriate ways shared priorities. common reference point defining over production shari'ah, yet there great disagreement on shari'ah enjoined, sense, was. When came means extraction permitted extent could coerce produce, rampant. It always ulema (religious scholars) opposed actions grounds such violated shari'ah--as shows, views were sometimes more cooperative decisions those held administrators. Both address shifting world, examine consequences lives livelihoods cultivators. fourth fifth investigate who frequent beneficiaries produced villages, soldiers based city. these receive moneys premised services each provided whole. did appear dispute nature perform, differences spring up when arose whether performed specific instances. maintains conflicting interpretations service, status, privilege vocational clearly reveal elites take earned revenue sources through scholarship teaching general duty providing moral guidance Muslims. Part denounce oppression, protect strong abusing weak. An argument honor seek without compromising oneself process. Could covet largess still adequately critical if he overstepped authority? Other found dignity profession asset called question. They deflected accusations greed fraud invoking dedication pious works all cases, self conception group particular function way responded opportunities gaining wealth For stationed well families countryside, contingent obedient service. Increasingly, entirety resources province oriented towards financing pilgrimage Mecca. effective, reliable leadership began assume higher priority government. From 1660 1690, janissaries dominated office leader, number qualities recommend them position: know routes accompanying caravan, create trouble expectation reward modest comparison countryside. investigation economic activities, clear considered `local' involvement city's commerce origins ethnicity. turn, dynasty finally moved destroy punish insubordination, sympathies affronted out differently might imagined. constituted obedience read Istanbul, belief men, even must backgrounds province, subjects. shows trying locate place whole, while duties associated underwent flux vigorously debated. uneasy integration various best relations East.