E Library

The book “Jordan Through the Documents of the Ottoman Archives” highlights a selection of Ottoman archival documents specifically related to Jordan during the Ottoman period. This work holds special importance due to its unique, authentic, and original nature. It provides Arabic summaries and translations of original Ottoman documents preserved in the Ottoman archives, including decrees (firmans), official orders, and petitions that trace the historical presence and administration of Jordan under Ottoman rule. The presentation of these primary historical sources in this format constitutes a valuable and documented resource for researchers and those interested in Jordan’s history during the Ottoman era. These documents reveal the early foundations of Ottoman control, the strengthening of governance, and the nature of the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and local leaderships. They also document administrative decisions, social transformations, the emergence of education and healthcare services, missionary activities, the security of the Hajj caravan from the Levant, and general public responses to imperial policies and decrees. Among the valuable materials are firmans and imperial honors issued in 1916, the same year the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War, recognizing Jordanian tribal leaders and dignitaries—documents published here for the first time. Rich in historical data, these records raise important questions about Ottoman strategies and administrative measures in the Jordanian region, whose governance often shifted in response to the Empire’s relations with Bedouin tribes, especially regarding the safeguarding of the Hajj route. The book is organized into the following chapters: Chapter One: The Beginning of the Consolidation of Ottoman Rule in the Regions of Ajloun, Karak, Shoubak, and Ma’an Chapter Two: The Qansubek al-Ghazawi Family, Emirs of Ajloun and Karak Chapter Three: The Era of the Pashas Chapter Four: Administrative Affairs Chapter Five: Municipal, Urban, Health, and Public Services Affairs Chapter Six: Educational Affairs and Institutions Chapter Seven: Christian and Missionary Educational Institutions Chapter Eight: Judicial Affairs Chapter Nine: Endowments, Institutions, and Islamic Religious Affairs Chapter Ten: Affairs of Christian Communities Chapter Eleven: Jordanian Figures in Local Administration in the Ottoman Parliament (Majlis al-Mab'uthan) Chapter Twelve: Honoring the Notables of Towns and Tribal Sheikhs Chapter Thirteen: Settlement of Immigrants