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Abstract

This study examines the institutional and financial dynamics of cash Awqaf in the Eastern Thrace region of the Ottoman Empire, presenting a long-term quantitative analysis that extends beyond Istanbul. This analysis aims to clarify the evolution of capital levels, founders’ profiles, and the functions of cash Awqaf from the sixteenth to the early twentieth centuries. To address the paucity of regional data, a novel dataset encompassing cash Awqaf in Edirne, Kırklareli, and Tekirdağ from 1544–1917 was developed. The analysis integrates the longitudinal trends in waqf capital with the socioeconomic characteristics of the founders and the evolving allocation of waqf revenues. The findings reveal a consistent increase in the number of cash Awqaf from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, accompanied by a long-term decline in average capital. This decline was influenced by both internal and external factors: the rise of centralization reforms, the advent of modern banking in Istanbul, and the economic shocks induced by the Russo-Ottoman wars. The results underscore the structural limitations of cash Awqaf as financial intermediaries and highlight the lessons for contemporary Islamic philanthropic institutions. To circumvent historical patterns of capital erosion and functional narrowing, modern cash Awqaf should adopt flexible reinvestment mechanisms, transparent governance frameworks, and diversified service portfolios that are aligned with social development goals. Enhancing institutional adaptability and financial integration can improve long-term sustainability and its economic impact.

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33

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