The Foundation and the Improvement of Erzurum Custom (16th-17th Centuries)

Abstract

Ottomans, domain over Anatolia substantially in the 16th century, af­ter getting the necessary measures for security in Erzurum where was significant center at a strategic point of view in the east border, acted rapidly in settling and reconstructing. Some practice done for the ease of trade in the city located in Trebizond -Tabriz transit trade way. In this context, the biggest custom organization founded to perform trade better and more systematically. Becoming functional toward the end of the 16th century, the customhouse, accepted as a one of the most important customs of the empire in the 17th century. Silk coming from Central Asia to Anatolia over Iran was both crucial income sources of Erzurum customs and among the reasons of the Ottoman -Safevid war. While war was proceeding between two states according to custom registrations trade was also keep going. The Erzurum custom, haunt of east coming cara­vans, was not only important for the economy of the region but also for the economy of country.