The power of an empire is measured as much by the fullness of its treasury as by the size of its armies. For the Ottoman Empire, the center of this economic power and political stability was the Ottoman Imperial Treasury (Hazine-i Hümâyun), hidden behind the most protected walls of Topkapı Palace. This was not merely a depot where gold coins and jewels were stacked, but also a complex financial institution where taxes collected from three continents, war spoils, and valuable artworks were meticulously managed and protected by a flawless security system. The functioning of Hazine-i Hümâyun is the most concrete reflection of the Ottoman understanding of state administration and financial discipline.
What is Hazine-i Hümâyun? The Economic Heart of an Empire
Hazine-i Hümâyun, in its most general definition, refers to all the financial assets of the Ottoman Empire; however, in practice, this treasury consisted of two main sections. This structure formed the economic heart of the state and was located in Topkapı Palace. The answer to the question “What is Hazine-i Hümâyun?” is that it was not merely an accumulation of wealth, but also a center where all state revenues and expenditures were managed, its budget was planned, and its financial policies were determined. According to one study, during the empire’s most brilliant period, the annual income of Hazine-i Hümâyun exceeded the total incomes of the largest kingdoms in Europe. The management of this immense wealth required special expertise and a strict hierarchy.
Management of Wealth: Distinction Between Inner Treasury and Outer Treasury
The genius of the Ottoman financial system lay in managing the state’s wealth in two separate sections: the Outer Treasury and the Inner Treasury. This distinction was designed both to ensure the efficiency of daily financial operations and to secure the empire’s strategic reserves. The difference between the Inner Treasury and the Outer Treasury is fundamentally based on functionality and security level.
Outer Treasury (Hazine-i Âmire): The State’s Daily Coffers
The Outer Treasury, also known as Hazine-i Âmire, was the active coffers used for the daily functioning of the state. It was located in a building in the Second Courtyard of Topkapı Palace, next to the Imperial Council (Divan-ı Hümayun, or Kubbealtı). This location demonstrated its direct connection to the administrative center.
Responsible Officer: Başdefterdar (Minister of Finance)
Revenues: Taxes collected from all over the empire, customs duties, mining revenues, and other state revenues first flowed here.
Expenditures: All routine state expenses, such as ulûfe payments (salaries paid to Janissaries and other Kapıkulu soldiers every three months), civil servant salaries, castle repairs, and naval expenses, were covered from this treasury.
Function: To manage the state’s daily budget and ensure financial flow.
Inner Treasury (Enderun Treasury): The Sultan’s Personal Wealth and Most Valuable Possessions
The Inner Treasury, or Enderun Treasury, had a much more protected and special structure. It was kept in the Fatih Kiosk, built by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, in the most private and secure section of the palace, the Third Courtyard (Enderun).
Responsible Officer: Hazinedarbaşı (The Sultan’s chief treasury official)
Assets: This was where the Sultan’s personal wealth, the most valuable jewels belonging to the dynasty (such as the Spoonmaker’s Diamond), priceless artworks, holy relics, gold and silver ingots, valuable kaftans, and the rarest pieces of war spoils were stored.
Function: The Inner Treasury served as the state’s strategic reserve. It acted as a “reserve fund”. When a deficit occurred in the Outer Treasury, or during extraordinary situations such as war or famine, transfers were made from the Inner Treasury to the Outer Treasury by the Sultan’s command. This ensured that the state maintained its financial strength even in the most difficult times.
Those Responsible for the Treasury: Officials and Strict Hierarchy
The management and protection of this enormous wealth were carried out by officials with a strict hierarchy, where every step was defined.
| Official | Responsible for Treasury | Main Duties |
| Başdefterdar | Outer Treasury | Preparing the state budget, managing revenues and expenditures, informing the Divan on financial matters. |
| Hazinedarbaşı | Inner Treasury | Managing the Sultan’s personal treasury, protecting the most valuable items, and keeping their inventory. Directly responsible to the Sultan. |
| Hazinedar Kethüdası | Inner Treasury | Assistant to the Hazinedarbaşı. Supervised daily operations and other treasury officials. |
| Hazine Kâtipleri | Both Treasuries | Meticulously recording all revenues and expenditures of the treasury in daily ledgers called “Ruznamçe.” |
These officials were specially trained in Enderun, chosen from among highly reliable individuals who were experts in accounting. The duties of the Hazinedarbaşı involved not only accounting but also being one of the Sultan’s closest confidants.
Impassable Walls, Locked Doors: Methods of Treasury Protection
The security of Hazine-i Hümâyun was ensured at the highest level. Especially the Fatih Kiosk, where the Inner Treasury was located, was virtually an impenetrable fortress.
Physical Security: Thick stone walls, iron-barred windows, and massively locked iron doors constituted the first line of defense for the treasury. The kiosk was located within Enderun, the most secure courtyard of the palace.
Armed Guards: The most elite and trusted units of the palace, the Has Odalılar and the inner boys from the Hazinedar Koğuşu, stood guard at the treasury doors. These guards served 24/7.
Sealing System: At the end of each day, the treasury doors were sealed with a special wax in the presence of the Hazinedarbaşı and other officials. The seal was checked and opened the next morning, again in the presence of the same officials. This ensured that any unauthorized entry during the night would be noticed.
Detailed Record (Inventory): Every item in the treasury was recorded in ledgers with all its features. The accuracy of the inventory was checked through regular counts. This strict record-keeping system made any loss or theft almost impossible.
Treasury Revenues and Expenditures: From War Spoils to Ulûfe Payments
State revenues in the Ottoman Empire were quite diverse, and these revenues formed the lifeblood of the Treasury.
Taxes: “Sharia” and “customary” taxes collected from the public were the largest source of income.
Spoils of War: One-fifth (pençik) of the spoils obtained from conquered lands and victorious wars was directly transferred to the state treasury.
Taxes from Dependent States: Annual taxes paid by dependent principalities and states such as Crimea, Wallachia, and Moldavia.
Customs and Mining Revenues: Customs duties collected from trade routes and revenues obtained from the operation of silver, copper, and other mines in the empire.
The largest expenditure item of the treasury was the army. Especially the ulûfe payments made to Kapıkulu soldiers every three months and the “cülus bahşişi” (accession bonus) distributed when the Sultan ascended the throne were the largest expenses of the treasury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hazine-i Hümâyun exhibited today?
Yes, the most magnificent surviving pieces of the Ottoman Imperial Treasury are exhibited today in the Treasury Section of the Topkapı Palace Museum. Visitors can tour the Fatih Kiosk treasures, which is the original location where the Inner Treasury was kept, and see world-famous works such as the Spoonmaker’s Diamond and the Topkapı Dagger.
Was the Spoonmaker’s Diamond in the Inner Treasury?
Yes, priceless and symbolically valuable jewels like the Spoonmaker’s Diamond were considered part of the Sultan’s personal wealth and were kept in the Inner Treasury (Enderun Treasury), protected at the highest level. Today, it continues to be exhibited in the same section, in the Fatih Kiosk.
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Tags: Ottoman Treasury, Hazine-i Hümâyun, Topkapı Palace, Inner Treasury, Outer Treasury, Hazinedarbaşı, Ottoman Finance, Fatih Kiosk, State Administration, Spoonmaker’s Diamond.
