The fourth great province of the Ottoman Empire was Scham, better known as Damascus. This province held a very important position because of its wealth, its location on the trade routes, and its religious importance.
The fixed and certain revenue of the province of Damascus was one million aspers each year. Under its authority were seven Sangiacks governed under the Has system, meaning that their taxes were collected directly by officers of the Beglerbeg on behalf of the Sultan.
These Sangiacks were Jerusalem (also called Kadesh-Sherif), Gaza, Sidon, Nablus (also known as Naples of Syria), Ajlun, Baalbek, and Damascus itself, which was the city where the Beglerbeg resided. These districts were closely administered and contributed directly to the imperial treasury.
Saliane Districts of Damascus
In addition to the Has Sangiacks, the Beglerbeg of Damascus also governed three Saliane districts, for which he received a fixed salary paid by the Sultan’s officers. These districts were Karak, Saida, Beirut, Tripoli, and Shobek Private Tour Istanbul.
In these Saliane territories, there were no Timariots, and the inhabitants were considered free and absolute masters of their own estates, much like the Kurdish regions mentioned earlier. The people held their land by local custom rather than military service.
Most of the castles in this province had been demolished or abandoned, and only a few remained strong enough to be of military importance.
The Province of Sivas (Sitras)
The fifth province was Sivas, a city located in Greater Armenia. This province had a yearly revenue of nine hundred thousand aspers, showing its strong economic value.
Under the authority of the Pasha of Sivas were six Sangiacks, namely Amasya, Çorum, Buradık, Demirköy, Canik, and Arabkir. Throughout these districts, there were nineteen castles, which served as defensive structures and symbols of local authority.
The Province of Erzurum
The sixth major province was Erzurum, located on the frontier with Georgia. Because of its position, it was of great military importance.
The revenue of Erzurum amounted to one million, two hundred thousand, six hundred and sixty aspers. The Pasha of Erzurum governed eleven Sangiacks, including Karahisar, Şarkî, Kighi, Pasin, Erzincan, Hınıs, Tekman, Tortum, Meyyafarkın, Mamahatun, Kızıltan, and Malazgirt. In this province, there were thirteen castles used for defense.
The Province of Van
The seventh province was Van, a city in the region formerly known as Media. The annual revenue of Van was one million, one hundred thirty-two thousand and two hundred aspers.
The Pasha of Van commanded fourteen Sangiacks, including Adilcevaz, Erciş, Muş, Bargiri, Hakkari, Kars, Pasin, Espaird, Ağrı, Eçmiadzin, Bendimahi, Kalecik-i Bayezid, Berde, and Elegez. These lands formed an important eastern frontier of the empire.
Importance of the Eastern Provinces
These provinces were essential for the defense, wealth, and administration of the Ottoman Empire. They protected the eastern borders, secured trade routes, and provided revenue to the Sultan, while also showing the variety of administrative systems used across the empire.