Ottoman Property Tax Receipt 1901 Kayseri Talas Armenian Citizen Armenia

Ottoman Property Tax Receipt from Kayseri – Talas District, Tablakaya Quarter (1901)

Description:

This Ottoman tax receipt bears the heading “Emlak Vergisine Mahsus Tezkere” (Certificate for Property Tax) and is dated 24 Teşrin-i Sani 1317 (7 December 1901). It pertains to Ankara Vilayeti, Kayseri Livası, Talas Kazası, Tablakaya Mahallesi, documenting the settlement of a tax obligation for the year 1317.

The taxpayer is recorded as Aslanyan oğlu … Bey; while the handwritten patronymic is legible on the document, it could not be confidently deciphered due to the difficulty of Ottoman cursive script. The receipt confirms payment of 2 kuruş 5 para, a sum that includes property tax (emlak), land tax (arazi), and a contribution earmarked for teçhizat-ı askeriyye (military equipment).

Given that the payer bears an Armenian surname, the document provides a meaningful glimpse into the Armenian communities of Kayseri at the turn of the 20th century. The inclusion of a military equipment levy underscores the participation of non-Muslim Ottoman citizens in state fiscal obligations and reflects civic contribution to the Ottoman army during this period.

The receipt is authenticated with revenue stamps and official seals, confirming its administrative validity. Overall, it is a concise yet telling fiscal record illustrating everyday taxation, military financing, and the multi-ethnic social fabric of late Ottoman Anatolia.

Key Features:

• Type: Ottoman property tax receipt (Emlak Vergisine Mahsus Tezkere)

• Date: 24 Teşrin-i Sani 1317 (7 December 1901)

• Location: Ankara Vilayeti, Kayseri Livası, Talas Kazası, Tablakaya Mahallesi

• Tax Year: 1317

• Taxpayer: Aslanyan oğlu … Bey (Ottoman citizen; patronymic partly illegible)

• Taxes Included: Property tax, land tax, military equipment levy (teçhizat-ı askeriyye)

• Amount Paid: 2 kuruş 5 para

• Community Context: Armenian Ottoman citizen contributing to state and military taxation

• Physical Features: Revenue stamps and official seals

• Collectible Significance: Illustrates Ottoman fiscal practice and Armenian presence in Kayseri at the turn of the 20th century