Constructing Imperial Authority: Fazıl Ahmed Pasha’s Governorships in Erzurum and Damascus (1659-1661)

Abstract

This article examines the early career of Fazıl Ahmed Pasha (c. 1635–1676, grand vizier 1661–1676) within the context of the seventeenth-century Ottoman provincial administration, focusing on his contributions to fiscal discipline, crisis management, and the consolidation of imperial authority in the provinces. Appointed by his father, the reformist Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmed Pasha (c. 1575–1661, grand vizier 1656–1661), Fazıl Ahmed Pasha governed the strategically important provinces of Erzurum and Damascus from 1659 to 1661, addressing pressing issues such as frontier instability, famine, and resistance from local powerholders. In Erzurum, he introduced tax reductions, oversaw infrastructure repairs following a devastating earthquake, and managed vital resources. In Damascus, he organized famine relief efforts, restructured local Janissary units and quelled rebellions to strengthen the imperial authority. This study places Fazıl Ahmed Pasha’s administrative practices within the broader framework of the Köprülü reform agenda, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between central and provincial governance. It also explores Fazıl Ahmed Pasha’s intellectual and cultural pursuits, showcasing the blend of scholarship and statesmanship in his career. Fazıl Ahmed Pasha’s early administrative achievements not only bolstered his reputation but also accentuated the critical role of reliable and skilled provincial governors in maintaining the Ottoman Empire’s stability during a period of significant upheaval. By examining Fazıl Ahmed Pasha’s provincial tenure, this study offers fresh insights into center-periphery dynamics in the mid-seventeenth century and illuminates the enduring influence of the Köprülü family on Ottoman governance.

Keywords

• ottoman provincial administration
• köprülü era reforms
• erzurum province
• damascus province
• köprülü mehmed pasha
• fazıl ahmed pasha