A Document of Acknowledgement for the Remaining Land Tax (Al-Kharaj) between Prince Khushqadam bin Abdullah and the Farmers of Tanamil in 842 AH/1438 CE

Abstract

This study aims to investigate a rare type of debt document that was written in Arabic regarding farmers and one Mamluk prince, which sheds light on the characteristics of the feudal Mamluk system in Egypt. This study reveals the reasons that a written document was drafted regarding a land tax debt, Al-Kharj, between the farmers of Tanamil and a prince in Egypt. This led us to explore the method of drafting these documents between the parties as well as the writing style to ascertain the identity of the writer. Additionally, this study seeks to elucidate the reasons for the farmers’ failure to fulfill their land tax obligations since they represent a sample of Egyptian farmers who had a specific relationship with feudal princes. This study employed a historical-analytical method, wherein historical information from the document was collected, linked to the works of historians from that era, and then compared and analyzed to meet the research objectives. The study concluded that the Mamluk prince made sure that his rights over the farmers were documented in writing to avoid any loss of information. Thus, writing method used was precise in order safeguard it from forgery. The identity of the writer of this type of document remains unknown. However, it appears that the farmers’ debts were caused by the Mamluks. Moreover, the relationship between the farmers and the Mamluk prince was purely material and was not intended to assist agricultural development. Even farmers were forced to migrate to the cities.