Complaint registers in Aintab, Diyarbekir and Ruha (1649-1837)

This study focuses on the complaints submitted to the Divan-ı Hümayun (Imperial Council) by those who suffered injustice in Ayntab, Diyarbekir and Ruha between the years 1649 and 1837. The complaints of the residents of these three cities will be examined through the Atik Şikâyet Defterleri (Ancient Complaint Registers). Despite recent studies on the Atik Şikâyet Defterleri, there is no separate work that addresses the general complaints of Ayntab, Diyarbekir and Ruha based on these registers. This has led us to identify the complaints and understand the underlying causes of injustice through 213 Atik Şikâyet Defterleri. The inhabitants of Ayntab, Diyarbekir and Ruha, who were subjected to oppression, injustice, arbitrary demands, and sanctions, chose to personally convey their complaints to the Divan-ı Hümayun. The act of conveying these complaints is often referred to as "coming to" the Divan. Within the framework of the Ottoman State's justice-centered governance approach, everyone had the right to complain. This right was embedded in the concept of "daire-i adliye" (circle of justice) in the administrative ideology. By individually and collectively expressing their complaints, the people established a connection with the central authority. Through these complaints, the administration became aware of unlawful tax demands in Ayntab, Diyarbekir and Ruha, attempts to seize the income of endowments, those who were not satisfied with their dues, the disturbances caused by tribes and bandits, violations in land regime and ownership, manipulation of local courts, and those who were committing injustices. Following the complaints submitted to the Divan-ı Hümayun, judgments were sent to local governors, beylerbeys (province governors), mütesellims (tax officials), kadıs (judges), naipls (deputy governors), and mollas (religious scholars) to prevent injustice. Additionally, local bailiffs were sent to conduct inspections. After these examinations, orders and letters were requested to ensure the rectification of injustice. The Divan made decisions in accordance with religious and legal principles by referring to İcmâl, Mufassala, Rûznamçe, and Evkâf Defterleri (summary records, detailed records, daily registers, and endowment registers) following the submitted complaints. The residents of these three cities also used fatwas (religious decrees), evidence, and endorsements obtained from the şeyhülislam (chief Islamic legal scholar) to strengthen their cases. By bolstering their claims with such evidence, the people sought justice in the central authority after rising against injustices in the provinces.