Local Elements of Economical Life in Otoman Empire: Ahi Community and Craftsmen Guilds

The craftsmen guilds in the Ottoman Empire emerged as the continuation of the ahi community that appeared in the 13th century, and developed into an indispensible part of trade. There is a hierarcy in the guild sytem as there was in the ahi community, comprising sheikh of craftsmen, foreman, master, qualified workman, and apprentice. The licence to open and run a shop belonged only to the master. This authority was given to him through a charter. The master also designated the number of shops. The franchise to run any mercantile or industrial profession was called gedik, monopoly of trade right. The craftsmen were scrutinized by examiners. The room in which craftsmen gathered to discuss business and private matters was called lonca. Sheikh of craftsmen was also sheikh of the lonca, followed by the foreman and the qualified workmen. Foreman was responsible for discipline and organization among the masters. The guild would stay attentive to the fair distribution of gedik. The most important of these franchises were those given to craftsmen, which were methods of monopoly and privilege. There were strict rules once the franchise was granted and those who did not follow them were castigated. Monopolization in the Ottoman craftsmen system gradually led to increase of prices. During the reign of Selim III monopolization was terminated and liquidation commenced, and accelerated during the reign of Mahmut II. Monopolization methods in arts and trade, the gedik system, and craftsmen organizations died out in 1861, 1913, and 1924 respectively.