Crime and punishment in Kütahya in light of the 1st and 2nd Kütahya Sharia Registers and Ottoman archival documents (1698–1763)

The Ottoman Empire, which existed for nearly six centuries, governed its vast territories based on the principle of justice. While grounded in Islamic law, it also incorporated its own customary practices, traditions, and regulations arising from societal needs, creating a unique legal and justice system. This system allowed communities of different religions, languages, and cultures to live together in peace, and the understanding of justice played a significant role in the longevity of the state. This thesis examines how the Ottoman legal system was implemented in Kütahya and its surroundings between 1698 and 1763. The primary sources of the study are the 1st and 2nd Kütahya Sharia Court Registers (Şer'iyye Sicilleri) and Ottoman archival documents. The register dates back to 1695. However, since the earliest documents relevant to our study are from 1698, we used this date in the title of our thesis. The study carefully analyzes the types of crimes, the social and economic status of the perpetrators, and the judicial procedures, while the 59-year gap between the registers is supplemented with archival documents. The aim of the study is to demonstrate how Ottoman law functioned in the provinces, the role of courts in maintaining social order, and how state-society relations were shaped within the framework of the justice system. Furthermore, it highlights that the combined application of Sharia law and local customs and traditions contributed to maintaining order and peace within society.