Ayanship in the Ottoman state: The case of Kayseri sub-province (1730-1774)

This thesis examines the ayans, local notables who rised in the Ottoman Periphery, in the case of Kayseri Sub-province. The introductory chapter looks at the debate on the rise of ayans. Chapter One emphasizes the importance of fiscal practices, which metamorphosed since mid-sixteenth century. Chapter Two examines the relationship between ayans of Kayseri and local community as well as center and periphery in the eighteenth century. The last chapter analyses the revenue sources of the Kayseri ayans.