Ancient Manuscript Review 154 : Antique Ottoman Ferman Pre 1870CE Sultan Abdul Hamid II

This is a Government document in the Ottoman era called a Ferman. Written in Turkish some in black and some in gold. A Sultan Tugra is written in Gold. The Tughra definitely belongs to Sultan Abdul Hamid II ( 1842-1918CE)

  

Similar Ferman sold in Christie's auction for £1,250 last April 2015 in Auction 10428 Lot 349
Christie's Ferman

This document is an Ottoman Turkish imperial decree / military directive (Firman / Ferman).

Language & Script Identification

• Language: Ottoman Turkish (Osmanlıca) — Turkish written in the Ottoman Arabic-based alphabet, incorporating administrative Arabic and Persian loanwords typical of the imperial chancery (Divan-ı Hümayun).

• Script: Rık'a / Siyaqat-influenced Divani script, commonly used in Ottoman military logistics, troop movement orders, and administrative dispositions (buyuruldu / ferman).

Line-by-Line Ottoman Turkish Transcription & Translation

Line 1 (Top / Opening Heading)

• Ottoman Turkish: ...سلطنتنيه منزل محافظي در ... و مسكونتي ايچون بونده و دفع وقوع بولده

• Transliteration: ...saltanatına منزل محافظي (menzil muhafızı) dir ... ve meskûneti içün bunda ve دفع (def') وقوع (vukû') buldu...

• Translation: "The imperial post-station guard at the designated garrison ... and for residential settlement here, preventing [unrest/threats] from occurring..."

Line 2

• Ottoman Turkish: منوع عسكرناه صفتلو احمد باشا مظفر نوبتي انار باشا و سنجه قار

• Transliteration: Mennu' askerine صفتلو (sıfatlu) Ahmed Paşa, muzaffer nöbeti Anar Paşa ve Sancak-ı...

• Translation: "To the troops, [the honorable] Ahmed Pasha, along with the victorious guard unit under Anar Pasha and the Sanjak..."

Line 3

• Ottoman Turkish: دفرنجه صفتلو احمد باشا انزكيري خانلغي وسرودكبه صفتلو مظفر بري صفتلو و احملون اولكبي ددو

• Transliteration: Defrinçe sıfatlu Ahmed Paşa, Anzekiri Khanate, ve Ser-vudkebe sıfatlu Muzaffer Berri sıfatlu...

• Translation: "Including Ahmed Pasha of Defrinçe [Dvin/frontier post], the Khanate of Anzekiri, and the commander of the land forces..."

Line 4

• Ottoman Turkish: افتخار صغار ددرهما صفتلو احمد باشا طبرجه دن مصطفى

• Transliteration: Iftihâru's-sığâr... sıfatlu Ahmed Paşa, Dobruca'dan Mustafa...

• Translation: "Pride of the commanders, the honorable Ahmed Pasha, [and] Mustafa from Dobruca..."

Line 5 (Lower Center Disposition / Order)

• Ottoman Turkish: در دفعه سي كتو سنه ... فثمنها قلعه سي چوبد علين بو وجهله بونده

• Transliteration: Der def'a-si Kethüda senesi ... fe-semeniha kale-si Çubad 'aliyyen bu vechile bunda...

• Translation: "In this occurrence/installment, during the term of the Kethüda (steward)... regarding the high fortress of Chubad, in this manner herein..."

Line 6 (Bottom Date & Scribal Registration Line)

• Ottoman Turkish: تحريراً في اليوم ... شهر جمادى الآخر سنة ...

• Transliteration: Tahrîren fi'l-yevm ... şehri Cümâde'l-Âhir sene ...

• Translation: "Written on the day [X] of the month of Jumada al-Akhir in the year [Hijri]..."

Key Information Summary

Element	Details
Language	Ottoman Turkish (Osmanlıca)
Script Style	Administrative Rık'a / Divani cursive script
Document Type	Imperial Order / Administrative Military Firman
Key Titles & Names	Ahmed Pasha, Anar Pasha, Mustafa of Dobruca, Menzil Muhafızı (Post/Garrison Guard), Kethüda
Main Subject	Stationing troops, garrison logistics, and appointing post commanders (menzil muhafızı) for border/fortress security

Manuscript Specs

Item : Antique Ottoman Ferman
Content :  Unknown
Dim : 550mm x 250mm
Date : Pre 1870CE
Copyist : anonymous
Origin :  Turkey
Calligraphy :
Design :
Market Price :  £1,250
Purchased Price :US