The Nablus Sanjak (
Arabic: سنجق نابلس;
Turkish: Nablus Sancağı) was an administrative area that existed throughout
Ottoman rule in the
Levant (1517–1917). It was administratively part of the
Damascus Eyalet until 1864 when it became part of
Syria Vilayet and then the
Beirut Vilayet in 1888.
History
Early Ottoman rule
In the 1596-
daftar, the Sanjak of Nablus contained the following subdivisions and villages/towns:
In the 19th century, it consisted of nearly 113 towns and villages, in addition to the city of Nablus. From the 17th to the early 20th century it maintained its autonomy of Ottoman rule, mostly due to the mountainous terrain and Nablus's strategic location between
Mount Ebal and
Mount Gerizim. The rulers of the district composed of several
Arab families, some originating from northern
Syrian cities, some from
Balqa, in modern-day
Jordan, and others were indigenous to Nablus. The primary noble families were the
Tuqan,
Jarrar, Abd al-Hadi,
Jayyusi, Nimr, Rayyan,
Qasim, At'ut, al-Hajj Muhammad, Ghazi and Jaradat.[18]
On Major R Huber's
1899 map of the Ottoman Empire, Sandjak Nablouz comprised four cazas ("subdistricts"): Nablouz; Djénin; Beni Saâb with the centre in
Toul Karem; and Djemaïn with the centre in
Akrabé. The four cazas were further subdivided into nine nahiés, totalling 58 villages.
The District of Nablus was economically active in growing
olives which they used to produce
olive oil, olive wood baskets and
Nabulsi soap. Cotton was also a major cash crop. Most economic activity was based in Nablus, however the surrounding towns and villages supplied the crude product. The ruling families completely controlled all production soap and olive oil and the exporting of cotton, while the peasantry served as the farmers, laborers and were forced to pay taxes to the families. In return, the ruling families protected the villages and met municipal needs.[18]