firmans

Firmans, plural of firman, are royal decrees or edicts issued by rulers in the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid and Mughal eras, and other Muslim-ruled realms. The term derives from Persian farmān meaning "order" or "command." In practice a firman could grant land, confirm tax rights, appoint officials, authorize construction, or bestow privileges on individuals or communities.

Issued by the sultan or other high authority, firmans were often written on parchment or paper and sealed with the ruler's sign and a calligraphic emblem such as an Ottoman tuğra to authenticate them.

Firmans varied in scope from broad public proclamations to private grants to favored individuals. They could be explanatory or prescriptive, and sometimes carried administrative instructions, stipulations, or privileges for recipients.

Languages: Firmans were commonly drawn up in Persian or Turkish, reflecting the court's linguistic practice, though other languages were used depending on the ruler and realm.

Historical significance and preservation: Surviving firmans are valuable sources for historians, shedding light on land tenure, taxation, appointments, and interregional relations. They are preserved in imperial archives, libraries, and mosque endowments.