Ottoman Waqf Document Tokat 1927 Evkaf Treasury Military Bathhouse
Official Evkaf Document – Tokat Province, Republic of Türkiye 1927
Description
This original official document bears the letterhead “Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tokat Vilayeti Evkaf Müdürlüğü” and is dated 18 June 1927. Although issued during the Republican period, it is written in Ottoman Turkish using the Arabic script, as the Alphabet Reform replacing it with the Latin alphabet was implemented in 1928. The document includes official seals and signatures, confirming its formal administrative character.
The text states that the document was issued as a response to a previously submitted official correspondence. Its subject concerns a bathhouse (hamam) located near the Cami-i Kebir area in Niksar. According to the document, a legal dispute had arisen between the Evkaf Administration and the military authorities regarding this property. In connection with the case, a total of 46 separate documents were delivered by the 6th Corps Command (6. Kolordu Kumandanlığı).
The document notes that further action would be taken in accordance with the decision to be rendered by the legal authorities, reflecting the procedural handling of inter-institutional disputes in the early Republican era. As a record of a legal disagreement between two state institutions; Evkaf and the military it offers valuable insight into administrative continuity, legal processes, and property management during the formative years of the Republic. The document concludes with the signature of the Evkaf Director.
Key Features
• Type: Official Evkaf administrative document
• Issuing Authority: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tokat Vilayeti Evkaf Müdürlüğü
• Location Referenced: Niksar, Cami-i Kebir vicinity
• Subject: Legal dispute over a hamam between Evkaf Administration and the military
• Supporting Documents: 46 documents delivered by the 6th Corps Command
• Date: 18 June 1927
• Script: Ottoman Turkish (Arabic script, pre–Alphabet Reform)
• Features: Official seals and signatures; signed by the Evkaf Director
• Historical Significance: Illustrates an inter-institutional legal dispute and provides insight into early Republican administrative and legal practices while preserving Ottoman bureaucratic continuity