TRENDEFRAtlas of the Sultans · Glossary
Term · Sovereignty and central government
Also known as: Ferman
An imperial order bearing the tughra, written in line with the decisions taken in the Imperial Council.
Affairs of state such as opening a campaign, dispatching troops, taxes and appointments were announced by firman. It was the document that conveyed the sultan's command to the person or community it was sent to; today the term is also familiar from names such as the “Tanzimat Edict” and the “Reform Edict”.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, article “FERMAN” (in Turkish); text condensed for the atlas.