The Ottoman Province of Damascus in the 16th century comprised a number of Iiwa's (Iiwa = sajaq). This thesis deals mainly with the Iiwa of Damascus as a case study. Other Iiwa's are mentioned in this connection in as much as they concern and clarify the general picture. Prescribed limitations prevent full discussion of others. The thesis is composed of seven chapters, each of which deals with certain aspects of the history of the province. The first chapter is concerned with local events prevailing between the Ottoman conquest 922/1516 and the suppression of al-Ghozali's rebellion in 927/1521. In the second chapter administrative divisions and demography of the Iiwa during the first three quarters of the sixteenth century are defined. The study shows that the was the basic administrative unit and records periods of increase In the numbers or' the population followed by sharp decline. The structure of Ottoman administration is the subject of chapters three to five. The first of them outlines the function of the governor as responsible for the maintenance of law and order and for the leadership of the military force whenever called upon. It emphasises his responsibility for the despatch and safe return of the pilgrimage caravan of Damascus This was assisted by military units distributed throughout the province and housed in fortresses,augmented by the subsidiary forces of timar-holders. All these contingents assisted the Sultan in his wars with Persia, in the Yaman and against Cyprus in addition to their use in the suppressiono f rebellions. The forces grouped themselves in to factions. As they also engaged in trade and industry, the factions vied with each other to win the support of local chieftains.