The twentieth province was the Government of the Pasha of Budun, also called Buda, located in Hungary. This was one of the most important Ottoman provinces in Central Europe. The Pasha of Buda commanded twenty Sangiacks, which made his authority very wide and powerful.
Among these Sangiacks were Eger, Kanizsa, Semendria, Vác, Stuhlweissenburg (Székesfehérvár), Esztergom, Segedin, Hatvan, Simontornya, Sirmium, Kopan, Filek, Szigetvár, Siklós, Szentendre, Nógrád, Szekszárd, and Belgrade, also known as Alba Regalis. These towns were strongly fortified and played a key role in defending Ottoman lands against the Habsburgs.
In the year 1663, the fortress of Uyvar (Neuhäusel) was conquered by the Ottomans. After its capture, it was added as a new Sangiack, increasing the strength and importance of the Government of Buda.
The Government of Temesvár
The twenty-first province was the Government of the Pasha of Temesvár, also in Hungary. This province held an important defensive position near the borders of Transylvania. The Pasha commanded six Sangiacks, namely Lipova, Timișoara, Cenad, Csanád, Moldova, and Oradea Customized Tours Istanbul.
In addition to these, Yanova was added after it was conquered in 1663. The province was largely military in nature, with many fortresses and garrisons established to secure Ottoman rule in the region.
The Government of Sofia in Sclavonia
The twenty-second province was the Government of the Pasha of Sofia, located in a region formerly known as Liburnia and Dalmatia, and later called Sclavonia. This Pasha commanded eight Sangiacks, including Herzegovina, Zadar, Pozega, Varazdin, Zagreb, Krka, and Rahvige.
This region contained a mix of mountainous terrain and fertile lands. It was important for controlling trade routes and maintaining stability in the western Balkans.
Lesser Pashaliks Without Sangiacks
There were also other Pashas, such as those in Theodosia in the Crimea, who governed very small territories. These officials had no Sangiacks, no Timariots, and no Ziamets, and ruled only a few poor villages. Because of their limited importance, these governments are not discussed in detail.
Provinces Governed with Saliane
Some Pashas were not supported by land revenues but were instead paid directly from the Imperial Treasury. These were called governments with Saliane.
The Pasha of Grand Cairo (Egypt)
The most important of these was the Pasha of Grand Cairo, known to the Turks as Misir. His yearly income was six hundred thousand zechins, equal to the yearly tribute paid by Egypt to the Grand Signior.
Since the war with Venice, this tribute was usually transported by land on camels, guarded by five hundred soldiers, to avoid danger at sea. Another six hundred thousand zechins were used yearly to pay the Ottoman forces stationed in Egypt.
In addition to this income, the Pasha of Egypt collected very large sums through heavy taxation and harsh rule. During his three-year term, he often became extremely rich. On his return to Istanbul, much of this wealth found its way back into the Sultan’s treasury.
Although it was said that he commanded sixteen Sangiacks, these were not officially recorded, and therefore they are not listed here.
These governments show the vast and complex structure of the Ottoman Empire, stretching from Hungary to Egypt, and ruled through a careful balance of military power, taxation, and imperial oversight.