The Statute of Dynastic Regulations and Its Implementation

Abstract

On 16 November 1913, a statue shortly named 'Dynastic Statute Book' was issued; its full name was 'The Regulations on Behaviors, Attitudes, Actions and Duties of the Members of the Dynasty'. These regulations were prepared by the 'İttihat and Terakki Party' which came into power after a coup detat, the so-called "Raid on the Sublime Porte". At the preparatory phase of the regulations, some legal arrangements concerning some European dynasties were also taken into consideration. For this reason, the regulations consist of both traditional practices and some new sentences. The topics covered in the Statute Book were as follows: the situation of the Sultan and the Heir to the throne, official report for births and deaths, marriage and divorce practices, official records, education and training, crucial issues in social life, punishments, trusteeship, recording and protecting procedures of official documents, and titles and nickname to be used. A very functional parliament was too founded with the Regulations. The parliament, first called 'Dynasty Parliament' and then given the name of 'The Parliament for Dynastic Issues' was probably the first parliament in terms of its function and scope. The Regulations were implemented with great sensitivity. It established the basis for organization of marriages and preparations of birth and death records while those dynasty members disobeying these regulations were punished. This article analyzes, with the help of archive documents, how these regulations were organized, what their contents were and how they were implemented.