THE PROBLEM OF SECURITY IN ZVORNIK AND SURROUNDINGS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY

Abstract

The Sanjak of Zvornik, which was founded in the period between 1478 and 1481, originally represented the border area of the Ottomans towards the Hungarians, which is why it had great military importance. However, as the borders of the Ottoman State moved towards Hungary, Zvornik and its surroundings, remaining in the background in relation to the newly conquered areas, began to lose their military role. However, due to its geographical location and river connections with Belgrade, the Sanjak of Zvornik has retained its strategic and economic importance. As political, economic and social changes began to be seen in the Ottoman State already in the second half of the 16th century, there was also a threat to security in certain areas. Interceptors on the roads, attackers of caravans, merchants and travelers with intent, as well as sanjak-beys and qadis who abused their positions contributed to the threat to security. One of the parts of the Ottoman State where security was visibly threatened, precisely because of its economic importance, was the Sanjak of Zvornik. The aim of this work is to show, through the analysis of archival documents in the Ottoman Archives in Istanbul, how security was threatened in the Sanjak of Zvornik and what measures the Ottoman State took to prevent banditry and abuse of position in this area. The paper used a qualitative research method, and the results were presented descriptively.