Palestinian Peasants and Ottoman Officials
Rural Administration around Sixteenth-Century Jerusalem
Published on 17. November 1994
Book
Paperback/Softback
220 pages
978-0-521-47679-9 (ISBN)
Description
In a unique study of rural administration in the Ottoman Empire, Amy Singer explores the relationship between Palestinian peasants and Ottoman provincial officials around Jerusalem in the mid-sixteenth century. With the use of court records, the author provides a detailed account of local conditions of production, the mechanisms for assessing and collecting taxes, and the strategies that were evolved in evading them. The book emphasises the complex, colourful and interactive nature of Ottoman provincial administration, which, while obliged to extract revenues from the peasants and impress them with the power of imperial authority, was nevertheless profoundly influenced by local conditions and traditional practices in its dealings with the populace.
Reviews / Votes
"A meticulous study....[that] will become required reading for all social historians of Ottoman Palestine." Journal of Palestine Studies "...Singer's work demonstrates the kinds of understandings that historians can acheive through judicious use of Ottoman-era archival materials. It is a considerable achievement, and Singer asks questions about the Ottomans and their peasant subjects which could be usefully explored in other parts of the Empire." SHOFAR "Singer further enriches our knowledge of the forms of peasant resistance." The Turkish Studies Association Bulletin "...[Singer] has contributed to our understanding of peasant politics." Islamic Thought "Amy Singer's well-researched book uncovers information about the workings of the Ottoman administration on the provincial level and also the day-to-day relationship between the peasants and the Empire's officials....Singer's book is a valuable resource for anyone studying or teaching the history of the early years of the Ottoman Empire. Her extensive research brings to light many aspects of village life during the 16th century which have been neglected in other works....I would recommend the book to anyone doing research on the Ottoman Empire." Betty Anderson, Mesa Bulletin "Singer is to be complimented for her efforts. She has written a concise and engaging study...Singer's work is so valuable...Singer's book shows that some details of Ottoman peasants' history can be retrieved by a determined scholar." International Journal of Middle East StudiesMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 Tables, unspecified; 3 Maps
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
365 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-47679-9 (9780521476799)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Amy Singer
Palestinian Peasants and Ottoman Officials
Rural Administration around Sixteenth-Century Jerusalem
Book
11/1994
Cambridge University Press
€43.40
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Amy Singer
Palestinian Peasants and Ottoman Officials
Rural Administration around Sixteenth-Century Jerusalem
Book
11/1994
Cambridge University Press
€43.40
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Amy Singer is a professor in the Department of Middle Eastern and African History at Tel Aviv University. Her recent books include Charity in Islamic Societies and Starting with Food: Culinary Approaches to Ottoman History (also available from Markus Wiener).
Content
1. Peasants, Palestine, and the Ottoman Empire; 2. Aspects of authority; 3. The rules of local administration; 4. Real accounts and accounting; 5. Between rebellion and oppression; 6. Realities and routines; Appendices.