Defter

Defter

Defter, also spelled daftar, refers to a bound or stitched notebook, booklet, or register. The term found broader application starting from the ninth century, predominantly in fiscal, military, and diplomatic administrative registers and record books.

Etymology

• Arabic: دفتر (daftar)
• Turkish: Defter

Historical Context

Defter has a significant historical connotation within the administration of the Ottoman Empire, where it was extensively employed in the documentation of government records. The effervescent bureaucracy of the empire required an efficient recording system, which materialized in the form of these comprehensive registers.

Features and Uses

• Fiscal Registers: Keeping track of treasury and financial transactions.
• Military Records: Enrolling, tracking, and managing military personnel and distribution of supplies.
• Diplomatic Files: Documentation of treaties, communications, and diplomatic missions.
• General Administration: Managing day-to-day affairs, legal decrees, property records, taxation logs, and more.

Extant Collections

The most notable collections of defters that have survived till date belong primarily to the Ottoman Empire, although a few individual ones from other regions have also persevered.

Further Studies

For individuals seeking a richer understanding of defter and its role within the broader framework of the Islamic and Ottoman administrative world, the following books are recommended:

1. “The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe” by Daniel Goffman
2. “State and Provincial Society in the Ottoman Empire: Mosul, 1540-1834” by Dina Rizk Khoury
3. “Ottoman Historical Writing” edited by Rifaat Ali Abou-El-Haj

Takeaways

1. Defter refers to a bound or stitched administrative register, primarily utilized for record-keeping.
2. It played a pivotal role in fiscal, military, and diplomatic documentation since the ninth century.
3. The Ottoman Empire’s extensive collections of defters illustrate the depth and organization of their bureaucratic system.
4. Modern studies can enhance understanding of administrative and social structures in Ottoman and Islamic history through examination of these records.

Conclusion

The term defter denotes an essential part of Islamic administrative heritage, providing substantial insight into various aspects of governance and social organization, particularly within the Ottoman Empire. This historical bookmark bridges past to present, underscoring the evolution and sophistication of record-keeping practices in the Islamic world.