ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE LAZISTAN SANJAK (1869–1876)

Abstract

   The paper presents and analyzes the issues related to the administrative-territorial organization and the administrative (governing) structure of the Lazistan Sanjak (part of historical Georgian territories) during the late period of the Tanzimat reforms. 

    Lazeti, or Chaneti, is a historical region of Georgia whose districts were, over the centuries, under various administrative and political jurisdictions. From the 15th century onward, it gradually came under the control of the expanding Ottoman Empire, which introduced its own socio-political system there.

   The mid-19th century (up to 1876) was an important period for the Ottoman Empire, marked by the implementation of the Tanzimat reforms and extensive transformations. These reforms involved the creation of new administrative-territorial arrangements and administrative (governing) structures. The existing data in our literature concerning the Lazistan Sanjak do not meet current research requirements and need to be clarified. Recently, new archival documents in Turkish have become available, containing information relevant to our study. In particular, the presented administrative-territorial organization represents a significant source and novelty. We also observe the meclisler established under the Tanzimat program. Their selection and functioning were intended as steps toward democratization. However, the society, still possessing a low level of education, was not yet ready for social progress. The functioning of the entire governing structure—executive or judicial, whether appointed or elected—required further refinement. Numerous materials document the shortcomings in their operation.

  It is important to note the contradiction regarding Tanzimat.  Specifically, their implementation represented progress for both the state and the people. However, they were carried out in a manner that strengthened Turkish influence, weakened Georgian national identity, and brought it to the brink of disappearance.

   Unfortunately, we still do not have access to the identities of the officials whose names are mentioned in the governing structures in the study. They, or some of them, were likely drawn from the local population.

   We believe that the study will contribute to a better understanding of historical research on Lazeti, promote the use of reliable sources, and support the analysis of the functioning of the region’s administration.

Keywords: Lazeti, Ottoman Empire, sanjak, kaza, nahiye, administrative structure, Tanzimat (reforms).