A Social Aid Practice in II. Abdülhamid Era: Tev’em Salary

The aim of this study is to analyze tev’em salary which is one of the social aid practices of II. Abdülhamid era and included within the salary of those in need. This salary which was in fact distributed in previous periods as well, found a broader place for itself within charity activities of II. Abdülhamid era. This salary which was given for twins and triplets and their mother is distributed to all the people of Ottoman disregarding language, religion and race. The only condition of having this salary is to be “muhtacinden” and be “fakr u zarurete duçar”. Upon controlling the information given with the demand of family, this salary is given for the children in need. It is paid from the state treasury and Municipality Income. With this monthly aid, the financial burden brought by having two or three children is decreased and parents take a sigh of relief. This salary which is given for the female children until they can earn their own living is given to the male children within the limits of age. This aid is provided for the children who both have lost their mother and father because they are a little poor and orphans; moreover a wet-nurse is assigned for those whose mother had died. It was determined that people who are affiliated to the army are given various rewards in order for them to fulfill their duty when their wife birth to twins, triplets. Moreover, this aid of Ottoman has the characteristics of supporting Ottoman population which has decreased due to wars, drought, hunger, disease etc. Tev’em salary is an indicator that in II. Abdülhamid Era the status of social state had become thoroughly distinctive in II.