TRENDEFRAtlas of the Sultans · Glossary
Term · Provinces and land
Also known as: kadı, qadi
A judge who settled cases according to Islamic law and also took part in governing the district where he served.
In the Ottoman provinces the kadi was not only a judge: notarial work, municipal affairs, price control and the implementation of government orders also fell to him. The district in which a kadi served was called a kaza. Kadis were nominated by the kazaskers and appointed by the sultan's berat.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, article “KADI” (in Turkish); text condensed for the atlas.