Müskirât Resm-i Mîrîsi Nizamnamesi Kapsamında İmbik Kaçakçılığıyla Mücadele (1888-1917)
The Fight against Illegal Distillation within the Framework of the Müskirat Resm-i Mîrîsi Regulation (1888–1917)

Summary/Abstract: In order to establish the principles of combating the illegality surrounding alcoholic beverages, which constituted one of the principal sources of revenue for the Ottoman Public Debt Administration (Düyûnı Umûmiyye İdaresi), the Regulation on the State Tax on Alcoholic Beverages (Müskirât Resm-i Mîrîsi Nizamnamesi) was issued on September 3, 1888. This study aims to examine the function of the aforementioned regulation in combating the illicit use of stills and boilers in the production of alcoholic beverages. It investigates the regions in which the regulation was enforced, the challenges encountered during its implementation, the penalties imposed on apprehended smugglers, and the fate of the confiscated stills and boilers. The enforcement of the regulation was analyzed through archival documents and scholarly literature. The findings indicate that the regulation was implemented in the provinces of Ankara, Konya, Kastamonu, Cezâyir-i Bahr-i Sefid, and Ma’mûretü’l-Azîz. Legal proceedings, initiated upon the complaints of the Administration, were conducted in local courts within the relevant provinces or districts, and verdicts rendered by these courts were frequently appealed to the Council of State Court of Appeals (Şûrâ-yı Devlet Temyiz Mahkemesi). It was also determined that the illicit stills and boilers were confiscated and handed over to the relevant Administration, and a fine of 4 Ottoman liras was collected for each seized still.

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