14 - 17

STANISLAVSKYI, Viacheslav
Taxation of Merchants from Ukrainian State in the Ottoman Empire in the Early 18 th Century
My research became possible as a result of the analysis of complex of documents of the Russian Embassy in the
Ottoman Empire, which are stored in Moscow. I analyze two types of documentation. The first type – the records about the
Russian embassy contacts with the Ottoman government. The second type – carriageways letters which were provided for
merchants who traveled from Turkey to the Ukrainian state. Contacts with representatives of Ottoman government concerning
taxation of merchants held three times: in December1703-February1704, July 1704, November1706. In the first case
ambassador contacted through intermediaries, in the next two-talked with the Grand Viziers. Carriage way letters contain
appeals not to take taxes from merchants or only to take ordinary tax. At the same time, they have information about the
origin of merchants, purpose and way of their trips.
Trade tax from Ukrainian merchants reached 10-12% of value of goods. They also often paid kharaj. In all cases,
mentioned in the documents, Ottoman government showed a positive attitude regarding requests of Russian Ambassador.
The tax was reduced to 3%, and the funds taken as kharaj returned for merchants.
Taxation of Ukrainian merchants and other merchants, who came from areas subordinated to tsar, was not clear
and systematic. While taxes managed to reduce these were separate episodes. Obviously, the reason was that trade issues
were not regulated legislatively between Turkey and Russia during the conclusion of peace agreements between the Turks
and the Russians in 1699and 1700.
|227