Nowruz in the Ottoman Administration (Classical Age)

Abstract: Among those adaptations that the Ottomans had from the Anatolian Seljuks, Nowruz/Nevruz, as an embodiment of the Iranian culture, was one of them, which could find its way into the Ottoman administration. Nowruz was magnificently celebrated in the Ottoman court, and numerous ceremonies were held like preparing Nowruz electuary (Ma’joun-i- Nowruziye) by Hakīmbāshī/ Hekimbaşı, providing New Year’s calendar by Munajjimbāshī/ Müneccimbaşı, giving flowers and fruits to some courtiers, as well as giving presents to the Sultan and some other governmental officials. In addition to the bureaucratic affairs of the court, many of administrative and financial affairs, appointment and dismissal of some officials, preparing financial ledgers, and collecting taxes and dues payment both in cash and in kind (Timar and Zeamet) were scheduled based on Nowruz. Furthermore, Nowruz greatly influenced the Ottoman’s military administration. Nowruz’s influences on the Ottoman’s military organization can be seen both for land and marine forces, such as the military ordinance, affording the necessities of the military forces, and movement of ground forces and navy a while before the beginning of Nowruz.