Evaluation of some endowments (waqf) established in Kosovo during the Ottoman Period

Abstract

The first waqfs in Kosovo were established immediately after the arrival of the Ottomans. These institutions played an important role not only in the transmission of Ottoman culture, but also in the Islamization of Albanians. In addition to the religious sector, the waqf institution also supported the provision of basic requirements for citizens, such as employment opportunities, medical care, food for the hungry, etc. The earliest endowments in Kosovo were mostly large complexes, known in Ottoman literature as külliye, which usually consisted of a mosque, a school, a public bath, and other endowments that generated material income, such as shops, mills, inns, and monetary foundations. These large endowments were generally established by Ottoman sultans and statesmen. However, later, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we see a significant change. During this period, most of the waqfs established are mainly shops and small monetary waqfs and were established by local residents. One of the studies done shows that there are 224 Ottoman architectural structures in Kosovo, including religious, educational, commercial, social, military and government institutions.

The main purpose of this article is to study the waqfs established in Kosovo and their activity during the Ottoman period. Taking as examples some of the endowments established during this period, we will talk about the way of their establishment and operation. Meanwhile, in order to have a clear overview about the waqfs established in Kosovo, we will take different examples of waqfs established by people of different categories, of which there were sultans, statesmen, clergymen and ordinary well-known people as reaya.