The View from Istanbul - Ottoman Lebanon and the Druze Emirate. Ottoman Chnacery Documents, 1546-1711 (2004)

The history of Ottoman Lebanon in the 16th and 17th centuries has, until now, received only the most limited attention. What work has been done has been based upon limited local and European literature. As the first work to make detailed studies and extensive use of Ottoman chancery documents, The View From Istanbul serves to fill many gaps in the historical record. How did the Ottomans run their empire? How did they view Lebanon? What were their prime concerns in the region? Each section is prefaced by a short introduction that places the documents in historical context and analyzes their content and scope. Published by I.B.Tauris in association with the Centre of Lebanese Studies The Period Of The Druze Emirate Is The Cornerstone Of The Founding Myth Of Lebanese Nationalism. It Was The First Political Entity That Covered A Large Part Of The Present Day Republic. Yet Little Is Known About Its Reality. Professor Abu-hasayn Makes Available To Us Primary Documents That Shed Light On This Important Period Of Lebanese History. It Is Also The First Major Translation Of Ottoman Chancery Documents On Any Subject. The History Of Ottoman Lebanon In The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries Has, Until Now, Received Only The Most Limited Attention. What Work Has Been Done Has Been Based Upon Limited Local And European Literature. As The First Work To Make Detailed Studies And Extensive Use Of Ottoman Chancery Documents, The View From Istanbul Serves To Fill Many Lacunae In The Historical Record. How Did The Ottomans Run Their Empire? How Did They View Lebanon? What Were Their Prime Concerns In The Region? Each Section Is Prefaced By A Short Introduction That Places The Documents In Historical Context And Analyses Their Content And Scope. The View From Istanbul Is An Indispensable Reference Work That Will Remain A Standard In The Field.--jacket. Map Of Mount Lebanon -- Map Of Syrian Provinces -- 1. Sidon-beirut -- Druze Insubordination In The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries -- Druze Insubordination Before 1585 -- Druze Insubordination: The 1585 Campaign -- Druze Affairs After 1585 -- Druze Insubordination After Fakhr Al-din Ma'n -- Rebellion Of Ahmad Ma'n -- Druze Insubordination After Ahmad Ma'n -- Shihab Succession -- Administrative And Fiscal Orders -- Military Affairs -- Foreigners And Non-muslims -- 2. Sancak/eyalet Of Tripoli -- Administrative And Fiscal Orders -- Economic Affairs -- Safety Of Highways And Coastal Areas -- Nusayris -- Shi'ite Rebellion In Northern Lebanon -- Other Rebellions -- Grants -- Judicial Cases Involving The Sayfas -- Other Judicial Cases -- Relations Between The Sayfas And The Ottomans -- 3. Country Of Baalbek, The Biqa' And Wadi Al-taym -- Conditions In Baalbek -- Harfushes In Baalbek And The Biqa' -- Shihabs In Wadi Al-taym -- Furaykhs In The Biqa' -- 4. Sancak Of Safad -- Grants -- Furaykhs In Safad -- Ma'ns In Safad -- Local Rebellion -- 5. Imperial Military Campaigns -- Troop Quartering -- Military Campaigns -- Financial Obligations -- 6. Pilgrimage And The Lebanon -- Personnel Of The Pilgrimage Caravan -- Pilgrimage Security And Military Obligations -- Financial Obligations Relating To Pilgrimage -- App. Grants Awarded For Participation In The 1585 Campaign Against The Druzes. Abdul-rahim Abu-husayn. Includes Index. The history of Ottoman Lebanon in the 16th and 17th centuries has, until now, received only the most limited attention. What work has been done has been based upon limited local and European literature. As the first work to make detailed studies and extensive use of Ottoman chancery documents, The View From Istanbul serves to fill many lacunae in the historical record. How did the Ottomans run their empire? How did they view Lebanon? What were their prime concerns in the region? Each section is prefaced by a short introduction that places the documents in historical context and analyses This work makes detailed studies and extensive use of Ottoman chancery documents, aiming to fill many gaps in the historical record. It sets out to answer such questions as: how did the Ottomans run their empire? How did they view Lebanon? What were their prime concerns in the region? Each section is prefaced by a short introduction that places the documents in historical context and analyzes their content and scope. This book contains translations into English of the documents of the Ottoman Umur-i Muhimme Defteri, or Register of Public Affairs, which bear on the history of Lebanon - or, rather, the parts of Ottoman Syria that ultimately came to form Lebanon - in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.