Extortions and fines of the Nogai family aristocracy, reflected in Ottoman documents

Abstract

Research Objective: To analyze the laws by which the Nogai society existed. Research Materials: An archival document numbered BOA.A.MKT.UM.414-24 in the Ottoman Archives of the Prime Minister’s Office, in the State Archives of the Republic of Turkey. Results and Scientific Novelty of the Study: The laws of the Nogais, recorded by Ottoman officials, are introduced into scientific circulation. The lifestyle of the Nogais corresponded to the steppe culture; they moved between pastures and winter quarters and were engaged in cattle breeding. The Nogais, living in tribes, were under the authority of their bek. The steppe culture of the Nogai lifestyle complicates the study of their laws. The problems faced by the Nogais upon resettlement to Ottoman lands in the 19th century became a topic for official correspondence between provincial structures of the Ottoman state and the center, and some of the mentioned Nogai laws were recorded as the main reason for the problems that arose. The archival document, registered under number BOA.A.MKT.UM.414-24 in the Ottoman Archives of the Prime Minister’s Office, in the State Archives of the Republic of Turkey, is a document written by the mutasarrif of Adana to the center, who had problems with the Nogai settlers they wanted to resettle in Adana.

Keywords

• nogais
• laws
• ordinary aristocracy
• ottoman archives