Chapter Two: Ottoman Rule in Jabal Amel – Administration and Conflicts
Prepared by the Ameli Historian Kassem Hejeij
The Beginning of Ottoman Rule: Expansion and Control (1516-1517)
The Ottomans established their control over the Levant, including Jabal Amel, after Sultan Selim I’s victory over the Mamluks in the battles of Marj Dabiq (1516) and Ridaniya (1517). The Mamluk administrative system was replaced by a more centralized Ottoman system, although the empire relied on local leaders in remote areas like Jabal Amel to ensure tax collection and maintain security.
The Administrative Status of Jabal Amel at the Beginning of Ottoman Rule
Initially, Jabal Amel was part of the Province of Damascus, which encompassed vast areas of southern Bilad al-Sham (Greater Syria). Later, with the establishment of the Province of Sidon in the 17th century, Jabal Amel became part of this new province due to its proximity to Sidon and its commercial ports.
Strategic Importance:
Jabal Amel’s location made it a critical trade and military passage, connecting Lebanon’s interior to the Mediterranean coast on one hand and linking Palestine with the Levant on the other.
Administrative Dependency:
Jabal Amel was divided into several districts (nawahi), each governed by local leaders who reported to the governor of Sidon.
Ottoman Administration and Its Relationship with Local Leaders
The Decentralized System in Jabal Amel
The Ottomans implemented a decentralized administrative approach in Jabal Amel. They preferred not to interfere directly in mountainous areas that were difficult to control and instead relied on local leaders to maintain stability.
1. Role of Local Leaders:
The Ali al-Saghir clan emerged as the most powerful local force in Jabal Amel.
They were responsible for tax collection and ensuring security, in exchange for maintaining relative independence in managing the region’s affairs.
2. Cooperation and Tensions with Ottoman Governors:
Although there was cooperation between local leaders and the Ottoman authorities, tensions occasionally arose due to high taxes and the governors’ attempts to impose direct control.
The Province of Sidon, under powerful governors like Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar, sought to weaken the authority of local leaders to strengthen centralized rule.
The Ali al-Saghir Clan: The Political Leadership of Jabal Amel
The Rise of Leadership:
The Ali al-Saghir family emerged as a dominant force in the 16th century, benefiting from the Ottoman reliance on local leadership structures.
Their Role in Regional Administration:
The family successfully united various tribes under its leadership, enhancing its ability to confront both internal and external challenges.
Relations with Ottoman Governors
Relative Independence:
Jabal Amel’s leaders managed to maintain a degree of autonomy for a long period, with the Ottoman state’s role primarily limited to tax collection.
Conflicts with the Governors:
Governors of Sidon and Damascus attempted to impose direct control over the region, leading to numerous conflicts, especially in the 18th century.
Taxes and the Economy Under Ottoman Rule
The Ottoman Tax System and Its Impact
The Ottomans relied on taxation as a primary means of revenue collection from the territories under their control.
1. Agricultural Taxes:
Taxes were imposed on agricultural products, particularly tobacco, which was a primary crop in the region.
This system placed a heavy burden on farmers, forcing some to migrate to areas with lower taxation.
2. Trade Taxes:
Local merchants were required to pay taxes on goods exported through the ports of Sidon and Tyre.
Jabal Amel’s Economy Under Ottoman Rule
1. Agriculture:
Agriculture was the backbone of the local economy.
In addition to tobacco, the region was known for cultivating olives, grains, and grapes.
2. Handicrafts:
The inhabitants of Jabal Amel were skilled in traditional industries such as weaving textiles and pottery making.
3. Trade:
The population relied on exporting their products through the ports of Sidon and Tyre, which served as key trade hubs connecting them to regional markets.
Internal and External Conflicts
Nasif al-Nassar’s Rebellion Against the Ottomans
Nasif al-Nassar, the leader of the Ali al-Saghir clan, was one of the most prominent figures who resisted Ottoman rule in the 18th century.
1. Reasons for the Rebellion:
Opposition to the heavy taxes imposed by the Ottoman authorities.
Nasif’s ambition to strengthen Jabal Amel’s independence from Ottoman rule.
2. Regional Alliances:
Nasif al-Nassar formed an alliance with Zahir al-Umar al-Zaydani, the ruler of Palestine, who was also resisting Ottoman authority.
This alliance strengthened both leaders and helped repel Ottoman attempts at control.
3. Consequences of the Rebellion:
Nasif al-Nassar successfully repelled several attempts to subjugate Jabal Amel.
However, he was eventually killed in the Battle of Yaroun in 1781, leading to the collapse of the region’s autonomy.
Tribal Conflicts and Their Impact
Jabal Amel witnessed power struggles among different clans, each vying for influence and resources.
The Ottomans exploited these conflicts to reinforce their control over the region.
The End of Jabal Amel’s Relative Independence
The Battle of Yaroun: A Turning Point
In 1781, Sidon’s governor, Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar, launched a major military campaign against Jabal Amel.
Battle Details:
The battle took place in the town of Yaroun between Nasif al-Nassar’s forces and the Ottoman army, which was reinforced with regular military units.
The battle ended with the death of Nasif al-Nassar and the defeat of his forces.
Consequences of the Battle:
The Ottoman state re-established direct control over Jabal Amel.
The influence of local leaderships such as the Ali al-Saghir family diminished.
The Impact of Losing Local Autonomy
The fall of Nasif al-Nassar’s leadership led to a radical change in the region’s administrative system.
The population suffered under the centralized Ottoman policies, which imposed higher taxes and weakened the local economy.
Social Changes Under Ottoman Rule
1. Daily Life:
The people of Jabal Amel lived simple lives, relying on agriculture and livestock.
However, heavy taxation negatively impacted their standard of living.
2. Tribal Structure:
Tribes continued to play a crucial role in organizing local society, even after the decline of major leaderships.
3. Religion and Education:
Shi’a thought remained prevalent in the region, thanks to religious schools that produced prominent scholars.
Conclusion
The period of Ottoman rule in Jabal Amel reflects a complex balance between local autonomy and centralized control. Despite the challenges, the region maintained its cultural and religious identity, even as its independence ended following the Battle of Yaroun.
