Saltpeter Production in the Province of Marash (1566-1577)

Saltpeter is the most important component of gunpowder which was widely found in the Ottoman Empire in comparison with Europe. The Ottomans had banned the export of this strategic mineral in order to control the production. Saltpeter production was held in the province of Marash, in recent years of Suleiman the Magnificent just before the Hungary campaign, in order to meet the growing needs of gunpowder of the central power. Production was initially carried out in the mine established in several kazas, new ones were added in later years.The management of mines held initially by a çavuş appointed by the central authority. After a while, the right was given to the tax farmer (mültezim) that committed to produce the highest saltpeter with tax farming system.The tax farmers were usually chosen from sipahis of the Marash province. Sipahis conducted enterprises upon themselves mostly through partnerships. However, many did not fulfill their promises, and was, accused of wasting the mirî funds by the central authority. This article examines the first years of saltpeter production in the province of Marash and the developments thereafter.