Ottoman Tax Document 1902 Istanbul Muslim Citizen

Ottoman Property Tax Receipt (Müsakkafât) – Sinan Paşa Area, Istanbul (1902)

Description

This Ottoman Turkish tax receipt documents the payment of a müsakkafât (property/building tax) in the Sinan Paşa area of Istanbul. Dated 18 Şaban 1320 (20 November 1902), the document records a total payment of 7 para and 69 kuruş. The tax was paid by tenant Nuri Efendi on behalf of the heirs of Mustafa Efendi, reflecting a common practice in late Ottoman urban life where tenants assumed responsibility for certain fiscal obligations tied to leased real estate. The terminology and structure of the document provide a clear example of how property taxation was recorded and enforced within the Ottoman municipal system.

Beyond its administrative function, this receipt stands as a compelling piece of late Ottoman financial ephemera. The presence of official seals, stamps, and signatures confirms its authenticity and enhances its visual and collectible appeal. Such documents are increasingly sought after for their ability to illustrate everyday economic transactions, urban property relations, and the fiscal mechanisms of the empire. For collectors and researchers alike, it offers valuable insight into Istanbul’s socio-economic fabric at the turn of the 20th century, making it not only a historical record but also a tangible connection to the lived realities of Ottoman city life.

Key Features

• Document Type: Ottoman tax payment receipt (müsakkafât – property tax)

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Date: 18 Şaban 1320 (20 November 1902)

• Location: Sinan Paşa area, Istanbul

• Tax Type: Müsakkafât (property/building tax)

• Amount Paid: 7 para, 69 kuruş

• Payer: Nuri Efendi (tenant), on behalf of Mustafa Efendi’s heirs

• Historical Significance: Illustrates Ottoman urban taxation and tenant-paid property tax practices

• Physical Characteristics: Official seals, stamps, and signatures present