Complaints from Bosnia to the center according to the Ahkâm books (1742-1867)

The Ottoman justice system, which was shaped within the framework of central- provincial relations, stands out with its complaint mechanism through which people could directly reach the central authority. This mechanism functioned through complaints submitted from the provinces to the Divan-ı Humayun. Complaints could be submitted to the center directly or through different application channels. Copies of the decisions taken in response to the complaints were recorded in the ahkâm books organized specifically for the relevant region. One of these books, the Bosnian ahkâm books, constitutes the main source of this study. This study examines the complaints submitted to the center from the province of Bosnia between 1742-1867. Complaints were filed individually or collectively by both the rulers and the reaya. Through the complaints examined, it is tried to analyze in detail the issues on which the complainants applied to the center, what kind of solutions were provided to these applications and the roles of the provincial authorities in this process. The content of the complaints varied. Disputes over land and land-related taxes topped the list of complaints. This was followed by the abuse of power and authority by rulers who resorted to cruelty and corruption. Rulers generally complained about their inability to collect taxes, while the people accused them of over-taxation. In inheritance- related complaints, problems caused by heirs and people who had nothing to do with the inheritance were more prominent. Difficulties in collecting debts were also a cause for complaint. Most of the complaints about crimes such as extortion, looting, theft, murder, assault, and rape stem from banditry, banditry activities, or conflicts between people. Complaints about the waqf are related to its administration, revenues and servants. Complaints were usually resolved "according to the law" or "according to the sharia".