Muhassıl (Dictionary)

Definition

noun and adjective

1. Adjective: Something or someone that produces, creates, or brings about a result.
2. Noun (historical): A tax collector in the Ottoman Empire, particularly before the Tanzimat reforms, working under the finance department. These officials, tasked with abolishing the tax farming system (iltizam), were responsible for collecting various taxes such as cizye, âşâr, and avârız, while also taking on local administrative duties.
3. Noun (administrative title): An administrative official with authority comparable to a sub-governor (kaymakam), but below a district governor (mutasarrıf). In the 19th century, some districts and sub-districts were managed by muhassıl officials granted authority equivalent to a kaymakam.

Origin

(ﻣﺤﺼّﻞ)

Derived from the Arabic taḥṣīl (“to obtain, to collect”). The term was widely used in the Ottoman Empire, particularly in fiscal and administrative contexts.

Applications

• Historical Context: Muhassıl played an essential role in the Ottoman administration's efforts to reform tax collection by replacing the tax farming system.
• Administrative Role: During the Tanzimat era, muhassıl officials were appointed to manage certain districts and sub-districts with sub-governor-level authority.

Example Sentence

"To abolish the tax farming system, officials called muhassıl were appointed to oversee land tax collection."