Cash waqfs and their operation forms according to recordings of Inspectorship Court of Evkaf-i Humayun

We come across with the practices of cash waqf during the Ottoman Empire. The cash waqfs led to expansion of areas of activities of the waqfs. The small savers also established the cash waqfs for the purpose of an eternal charity. Devoting a specific amount of money, the capital of the waqf is run. Disposable income is not consumed completely, its utilisation for the public weal is preferred. It played a significant role in improving the level of welfare of people. The cash waqfs established by the Ottoman female courtiers during the 17th century is discussed in this study. The waqfiyyas selected from the recordings of the Inspectorship Court of Evkaf-i Humayun, where the deed of foundation of these waqfs were registered, are analysed. Capital of the waqf, operating procedures, founding purposes of the waqf, the areas, to which the income of the waqf was allocated, are dealt with in this study. Judicial discussions regarding cash waqfs in relation to the period was mentioned. Well-accepted forms of the cash waqfs are explained in social and economic aspects. Furthermore, data, which will contribute to historical monetary studies on the period to a small extent, is acquired. The capital of the waqf consists of gold and silver coins. Fees for daily expenditures were set on term of silver coin. There is also information concerning market price of the gold and silver coins of the period in the waqfiyyas. Circulation of different currencies in the market is observed. Keywords: Ottoman, waqf, cash waqfs, waqfiyah, economic history