Tanzimat Dönemi Esham Muhasebesinde Bir Yolsuzluk Vakası (1862-65)
A Case of Corruption in Esham Accounting during the Tanzimat Period (1862-65)

Summary/Abstract: From the perspective of Turkish financial history, the Tanzimat era represents a paradigm shift characterized by the transition from traditional fiscal methods to a system based on paper currency and representative securities. This evolution commenced in 1840 with the issuance of interest-bearing kaime, which by 1851 transformed into non-interest-bearing paper money. Simultaneously, the fiscal pressures of the Crimean War necessitated the diversification of domestic borrowing instruments with varying maturities and interest rates. However, these nascent financial mechanisms were immediately susceptible to speculation, counterfeiting, and systemic abuse. This study examines a landmark corruption case uncovered in 1862 within the Office of Bonds a critical department under the Ministry of Finance. The scale of the scandal - measured by both the financial magnitude and the high-ranking status of the individuals involved - implicated a broad spectrum of officials, ranging from the Minister of Finance to mid-level bureaucrats and treasury clerks. The analysis reveals that the underlying causes of this malfeasance were rooted in institutional deficiencies and irregularities within the civil service salary system. Furthermore, the article explores the shifting legal landscape of the period, detailing the legislation enacted to address financial crimes and providing a case-based illustration of the contemporary interrogation and judicial processes.

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