The Government of Baghdad, also called Babylon, was one of the most important provinces of the Ottoman Empire in the east. It stood on the lands of ancient Mesopotamia and controlled major trade routes between Persia, Arabia, and Anatolia. The yearly revenue of this province was about one million and seven hundred thousand aspers, which shows how valuable it once was to the Empire.
The Pasha of Baghdad commanded twenty-two Sangiacks. Among them were Dertensa, Gezan, Gewazir, Renk, Aiadine, Gelle, Semrvat, Rentahne, Beiare, Derne, Debare, Wasit, Gebsaule, Gedide, Kesend, Kasr-i-Shirin, Ghilan, Karag, Anne, Alsebiah, Demir-Kapi, Deir-Berkiye, and Karaniye. These districts helped secure the frontier against Persia and provided soldiers and taxes to the Ottoman state.
The Government of Yemen
The Government of Yemen, located in Arabia Felix, once belonged to the Ottomans. The Pasha usually resided in Aden, a strategic port on the Red Sea. However, this region was very difficult to control. Due to frequent revolts and resistance by local Arab tribes, much of Yemen was later lost.
Because the Ottomans no longer held real authority there, it is no longer useful to list either the revenue or the number of Sangiacks that Yemen once had under Ottoman rule Customized Tours Istanbul.
The Government of Habesh (Abyssinia)
Another distant province was Habesh, located near Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and extending toward the lands traditionally associated with Prester John. The Turks also called this region Hujazebit. Because it was very far from the main Ottoman forces and difficult to supply, the province could not be properly defended.
Over time, Habesh was completely lost to the Ottomans. For this reason, neither its revenue nor its former Sangiacks can now be accurately stated.
The Government of Basra
The Government of Basra, located near the borders of Persia, was a maritime city on the Persian Gulf. It once had twenty-six Sangiacks under its authority. However, the Ottomans later lost control of this region as well.
At present, the Turks hold no real power there. They collect no revenue, maintain no officials, and gain no benefit from the province. The only remaining sign of Ottoman authority is that public prayers are still offered in the Sultan’s name.
The Government of Lahsa
The Government of Lahsa, near Ormus in Persia, contained six Sangiacks, namely Airon, Sakiil, Negniye, Netif, Bender-Azir, and Giriz. These territories were poor and produced very little income.
Because of their small value and limited importance, they were scarcely recorded in the Imperial Registers of the Grand Signior and played only a minor role in the wider administration of the Empire.
These eastern and southern provinces show the limits of Ottoman power, especially in distant and difficult regions. While some areas once produced great wealth and influence, others slowly faded from Ottoman control due to distance, rebellion, and weak administration.