The Development of Ayanl？k Institutions and an Evaluation of the differences in Anatolia and the Balkans

Having been known as the elites of the provinces since the classical period of the Ottoman Empire, the notables (ayan) started to occupy the administrative posts gradually from the 17th century due to the economic and military transformation of the Empire. The local elites who acquired the administrative duties through the practices of iltizam and arpal？k got the opportunity to establish their authority in the provinces, from time to time, in the eighteenth century. The institution of ayanl？k, which had been institutionalized since the midst of the eighteenth century, evolved into a structure that determined provincial administration in the Balkans, in the Bulgarian lands in particular. The activities of the notables of Rumeli, whose power was then at its zenith, left their footprints in the last ten years of the eighteenth century; thus the central administration dealt with these activities excessively. In the eighteenth century (it was the century of change and transformation for the Ottomans) we come across the institution of ayanl？k and ayans (provincial notables) as an organization, which reflects the transforming structures of the provincial administration and changing attributes of the notables. On the other hand, we come across the notables as a new type individuals/governors of this organization. From this point of view, it is useful to note that the ayanl？k has dome differences in Anatolia and The Balkans. Although these differences can be seen as a nuance, they offer a remarkable feature. This study will focus on the development of ayanl？k institution and the differences of two regions