JIZYA IN EASTERN TRANSCAUCASIA FROM THE 17TH TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32653/CH202246-259

Keywords:

jizya, poll tax, silk for faith, Eastern Transcaucasia, Sheki Khanate, Christians

Abstract

This article aims to provide a comprehensive examination of jizya, the poll tax levied on non-Muslim populations in Eastern Transcaucasia from the 17th to the first half of the 19th century. This period encompasses the region’s governance under the Iranian Safavid and Nader Shah states, followed by local khanates before and after their incorporation into the Russian Empire. The methodological foundation of this study rests on an empirical analysis of primary sources, complemented by a review of relevant scholarly literature. The comparative-historical method is employed to analyze information from these sources. The article explores source data on jizya rates during the dominion of Safavid dynasty shahs and Nader Shah over Eastern Transcaucasia. Evidence regarding the poll tax imposed on non-Muslims in Muslim khanates, established in the region following Nader Shah’s fall, indicates that jizya collection persisted through the second half of the 18th century. In the Sheki Khanate, this practice continued even after its integration into the Russian Empire until the mid-19th century. The study reveals a significant increase in the poll tax rate in the Sheki Khanate during the latter half of the 18th century. In this khanate, jizya was renamed “abrishom-i din” (Persian – silk for faith) or “ipak dini” / “din ipaki” (Turkish – silk for faith). The increase in jizya rates in the Sheki Khanate reflected the religious intolerance of the local Hajji Chelebi Khan towards Christians, prompting many to convert to Islam. Based on the documents examined, the article argues that a burdensome tax policy was implemented against Armenians and Udins in the Sheki Khanate, persisting even after its incorporation into the Russian Empire until the mid-19th century.

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Author Biographies

  • Kristine Petro Kostikan, Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Yerevan, Armenia; Institute of Oriental Studies of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia; Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia; Russian-Armenian University, Yerevan, Armenia
    Dr. Sci., Senior Researcher, Professor
  • Gevorg Srapionovic Stepanan, Institute of History of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
    Dr. Sci., Senior Researcher
  • Anait Araikovna Tovmasan, Matenadaran, Research Instiute of Ancient Manuscripts
    Junior Researcher

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Published

2024-08-12

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Section

History

How to Cite

1.
Kostikan KP, Stepanan GS, Tovmasan AA. JIZYA IN EASTERN TRANSCAUCASIA FROM THE 17TH TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY. ИАЭК. 2024;20(2):246-259. doi:10.32653/CH202246-259