In Solakzade’s history, it has been said that Yavuz Sultan Selim was deeply concerned with his Treasury before going to war with Iran. How he managed to enlarge the treasury income can be elicited from this quotation of his, “The Rumelia and Anatolia Spahis (cavalry) and large and small fiefs are to increase their taxes by one thousand Ottoman coins in favor of the state account, with contributions and additions Turkey Private Guide.
Dialogue Between Sultan and Grand Vizier
The same source recounts a dialogue between Yavuz Sultan Selim, who believes that victory comes with treasures, and his Grand Vizier: One day the Sultan called on his Grand Vizier Piri Pasha and asked: “What is the status of the Treasury?” Piri Pasha replied: “Which Treasury are you inquiring?” Sultan Selim was astonished and asked: “Are there two of them?” In reply Piri Pasha commented: “Yes, Your Excellency. Two and even three or four. One is Sultan’s interior treasury from which money can be withdrawn. This treasury is guarded by the Head of eunuchs and the superintendent of the Treasury. (Hazinedarbaşı, Hazine Kethüdasi), and can only be spent upon Sultan’s orders and should be reserved to meet salary requirements of the Janissary The Transition of the Treasury.
The second Treasury is the one by the viziers and is in the Hall of Audience, which is outside. Another one is in the Castle of the Seven Towers (Yedikule). The first two treasuries are guarded by persons your Excellency decree and Grand Viziers’ servants. And still another one is the Treasury of Non-Muslim tax (Reaya). Which of these do you wish?” According to this document, the Imperial Treasury in Yavuz Sultan Selim’s period consisted of three units. The first, “Enderun” Treasury, the second being the Interior Treasury by Kublealti and the third one was under the protection of Yedikule Castle.
