An Ottoman Century: The District of Jerusalem in the 1600s (S U N Y Series in Medieval Middle East History)

This sweeping look at the city and the District of Jerusalem in the 17th century paints a vivid picture of life in an Ottoman province.Based on micro-level research of the District of Jerusalem, this book addresses some of the most crucial questions concerning the Ottoman empire in a time of crisis and disorientation: decline and decentralization, the rise of the notable elite, the urban-rural-pastoral nexus, agrarian relations and the encroachment of European economy. At the same time it paints a vivid picture of life in an Ottoman province. By integrating court record, petitions, chronicles and even local poetry, the book recreates a historical world that, though long vanished, has left an indelible imprint on the city of Jerusalem and its surroundings.Dror Ze'evi is Lecturer at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Front Matter 1 Front Cover 1 Half Title Page 3 Title Page 5 Copyright Page 6 Table Of Contents 8 Note on Transliteration 10 Preface 12 Contents 14 Introduction 14 Zooming In 22 The Rise and Fall of Local Dynasties 48 The Sufi Connection 76 Desert, Village and Town 100 Layers of Ownership 128 An Economy in Transition 154 Worlds Apart 186 Back Matter 204 Conclusion 204 Notes 210 Bibliography 250 Name Index 262 Back Cover 273 Published by State University of New York Press,Albany @ 1996 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic,electrostatic,magnetic tape,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information,address State University of New Yor1