Page 183 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 3

İbrahim Yenigün-Vildan Balcı-Abdullah Yenigün-Sinan Uyanık

Introduction

Water, which has a vital value that is indispensable for the sustainability of all
living things, undoubtedly has a special meaning for human life. The establishment
of the first civilizations in history in the Mesopotamian region around the Nile
and Euphrates rivers is one of the most important indicators of this situation
(Müftüoğlu and Şen, 2000; Yılmaz, 2012). Therefore, water has assumed a very
effective role in the identification of civilizations. This role assumed by water has
also created different water cultures. In fact, the cultural richness that belongs to
water among societies has become one of the important criteria in determining
the level of development of countries and has been effective in identifying
civilizations as “water civilization”. The Ottoman state was the one that
embodied these characteristics. The Ottoman Empire, which ruled over large
geographical areas for many years with this rightful and well-established root
in history, considered water as a “trust” and adopted a faith-based civilization
concept within the framework of the 30th chapter of Surah Anbiya in the Holy
Qur’an, which states, “...and We created every living thing from water...”. In
this perspective, it has assumed important responsibilities in preventing possible
damages that threaten the health of water for humans and the environment
and has shown permanent approaches for its sustainability (Tak, 2015). In this
context, this article examines the water civilization established by the Ottoman
state in the light of archives and sources and strives to convey the points to be
considered in the framework of subheadings such as the administrative body,
firefighters (tulumbacı), legal codes, architectural structures, endowment (waqf)
waters, and protection of historical artifacts to the present day as a message.

Ottoman Water Administration Body
Water management has been an important issue for states both in the past
and today. Because the protection of existing water resources is a vital issue
that requires coordinated work in terms of its sustainability, the development
of alternative new water resources and the elimination of problems in the
fastest way. Within this framework, the Ottoman water administration also
changed and developed over time depending on the increasing population
and needs. In the beginning, water management was carried out by the
“watermen” (suyolcu). Later, according to the developments, especially with
the conquest of Istanbul, the water administration system underwent changes
during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han. With this changing system,
the “Water Administrations” were established and formed into a more
institutional structure. In the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, who
was known for his important works in the field of water supply, this structure
was further improved in the scope of increasing needs. Various sub-units were
established such as Water Administration, Water Council, Chamberlains,
Scribes, Discovery Clerks, Overseers, Guards, Reservoir

168 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate