Nüzûl and Sürsat Practices as Elements of Campaign Logistics in the Ottoman Empire

Abstract

The continuity of the Ottoman military organization and the success of its campaigns largely depended on the existence of an effective logistical system. In this context, the practices of nüzûl and sürsat constituted two fundamental components of classical Ottoman campaign logistics. Nüzûl referred to the in-kind requisition of grain and provisions from districts located along the army’s route during wartime, whereas sürsat denoted a supply mechanism through which foodstuffs, fodder, and other essential goods were procured for military units at officially determined prices. Both practices functioned as fiscal-administrative instruments that not only ensured the continuity of provisioning and supply for the army but also reinforced central authority over the provinces. This study aims to examine the legal foundations, modes of implementation, and historical transformation of nüzûl and sürsat obligations. In particular, it explores the relationship between extraordinary wartime taxation and in-kind liabilities, while assessing the economic and social impact of these practices on the reaya. Furthermore, the study analyzes the changes in the collection and execution of these obligations in light of rising campaign costs and the increasing monetization trends from the seventeenth century onward. Based on archival documents and relevant scholarship, this evaluation demonstrates that nüzûl and sürsat were not merely methods of military provisioning but also flexible fiscal instruments employed by the Ottoman treasury during periods of financial strain. Accordingly, the study seeks to contribute to the field by addressing the fiscal and social dimensions of Ottoman campaign logistics within a comprehensive analytical framework.