A study of administrative institutions in Yemen during the second Ottoman era

Abstract

Yemen's political and military history in particular has received many historical studies and studies in general in contrast to the scarcity of research related to administrative history. In this context, the main problem of the research revolves around the existence of administrative institutions in Yemen during the Second Ottoman era, which managed life affairs and achieved the stability of Yemen after the diaspora which it came to in the past. The aim of this research is to highlight the most prominent administrative institutions in the district of Al-Hajariya district, Taiz province and the most important local administrative leaders who participated in governance efficiently and effectively. It will also shed light on the Ottoman administrative history and the administrative experience that has been ruling for more than 6 centuries which can benefit in shaping the future.

The research is of great importance because it dealt with a qualitative issue related to the administrative history of Yemen in the second ottoman period. It dealt with the most important local figures, who held high positions in AL-HUJARIYA district, which resulted in shaping a new era for Yemen. ALTHOUGH that era did not continue, its effects and enlightenments are still prevailing. In addition, the importance of the research lies in the researcher's affiliation to the region itself and his specialization in administrative and institutional work.

 The researcher has combined between the historical method of analytical documentation through many sources and references, the most important of which are the Ottoman annual reports about Yemen, and the field study which adopted the ethnographic and monographic tools through interviews, observations and field visits. Based on these historical data, the research was divided into two main sections: (i) The Ottoman administration in the state of Yemen and (ii) the Ottoman administration in the district of Al-Hujariya, Taiz Province.

The most important results of the research are the following:

The administrative division in the state of Yemen, in Taiz in general and in Al-Hujariya in particular was in accordance with a clear geostrategic vision of the Ottoman Empire, with commitment to laws, regulations and regulations in all fields. Institutions in line with the principles of modern management whether administrative, supervisory or judicial and many other service units also existed.  Some of its buildings are still high and its administrative features are prevalent in the Yemeni administrative system to this day. The research also proved that Al-Hujariya district was of a great administrative importance to the Ottomans more than any other districts and as an evidence to this, three Yemenis were appointed as Qaimaqams (sub-governors). They also involved the people of Al-Hujariya effectively in the local administration, some of them emerged in the social development, which strengthened the brotherly harmony between Yemenis and Ottomans socially and militarily through marriages and sacrifices in the battlefields against the English.

Among the most important recommendations of the research are :

-         Strengthening brotherly relations and historical ties between Yemenis and Ottoman Turks at all levels.

-         Encouraging the scientific research movement and motivating researchers to carry out researches in the field of Ottoman administrative history in Yemen.

-         Finding mechanisms to preserve Ottoman structures and endowments.

-         Renovating the building of Qaimmaqam in Turba city, Alshmayateen center presently, as soon as possible before it collapses to be a museum and a witness of the history of the Ottoman culture in Yemen through coordinating with the local authority.