Between Sovereignty and Resistance: Administrative, Economic, and Educational Conditions in Al-Karak and Maʿan in 1880, with Ottoman Documents as the primary source

Abstract

The Ottoman archive is a primary resource for the study of the Ottoman administration in the provinces of the empire, particularly in the regions of Al-Karak and Ma'an during the late nineteenth century. The significance of the Ottoman documents lies in their ability to provide detailed insights into the financial, administrative, and security policies adopted by the state, particularly in light of the challenges it confronted in asserting its authority over local tribes. The document under examination, dated to 1880, represents a valuable example for understanding the complex relationship between the Ottoman center and its provincial territories. The study discloses the ineffectiveness of specific reform policies in fostering stability and elucidates the security, economic, and social conditions prevalent in the Karak region. Furthermore, it emphasizes the strategic importance of Al-Karak's geographical location, highlighting its military, commercial, and administrative functions. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the political and administrative transformations in Al-Karak from its incorporation into the Ottoman Empire until the late period of Ottoman rule, emphasizing the continuous changes in its administrative affiliation within the Ottoman administrative structure.