Selanik Mevlevîhânesi (Evkâfı ve Yönetim Sorunları)
Selanik Mevlevihane (Its Endowments and Administrative Problems)

Summary/Abstract: Selanik Mevlevihane (Salonica Mawlawi/Whirling Dervish House), constructed by Ekmekçizade Defterdar Ahmed Paşa outside Salonikan city walls in the early 17th century at a high location in the north-western part of the town where a pious foundation was established, had become an attraction center for Mawlawiyya at that region. The rise of Mawlawi order in the Ottoman lands since the 17th century paved the way for the intensification of state supervision over all mevlevihanes and the rising influence of Shaykh al-Islam Office on appointing Mevlevihane sheikhs. Selanik Mevlevihane attracted attention of authorities thanks to its high-income generating endowments, and was subjected to such kind of state supervision. Moreover, Shaykh al-Islam’s role in appointing the sheikh of Selanik Mevlevihane became visible in the 17th century. This supervision starting with the appointment of its sheikhs from the same family went on from the late 17th to the 20th centuries. The control of members from the same family over the management of Mevlevihane for two hundred years caused several problems regarding the assets and income of endowments. Additionally, striking conflicts among the children and siblings of sheikhs to take the control of Mevlevihane emerged. This study aims to explain the founding process, sheikhs, officers, income assets of Mevlevihane, and especially the problems about its administration and endowments reflected in the archival documents.

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