Al-Azm family


Al-Azm family is a prominent Damascene family. Their political influence in Ottoman Syria began in the 18th century when members of the family administered Maarrat al-Nu'man and Hama. A scion of the family, Ismail Pasha al-Azm, was appointed wāli of Damascus Eyalet in 1725. Between 1725 and 1783, members of the family, including As'ad Pasha al-Azm, held power in Damascus for 47 years, in addition to periodical appointments in Sidon Eyalet, Tripoli Eyalet, Hama, Aleppo Eyalet, and Egypt Eyalet. The family's influence declined in the 19th century, failing to establish a true dynasty.

Origins

One of the most prominent families in Ottoman Syria, the Al-Azm's may have originated from the region of Konya in Anatolia; hence, their roots in Turkey may shed light on recruitment and career patterns of the family members who held high positions as Ottoman officers in the Syrian provinces. The Al-Azm's began to emerge as a major influence in the region when Ibrahim al-'Azm, "a rural notable possibly of Turkish stock", went to Ma'arrat al-Nu'man to restore order in the mid-seventeenth century. Upon his death, Ibrahim al-'Azm's sons, Ismail Pasha al-Azm and Sulayman Pasha al-Azm, completed their father's task and were rewarded by the Ottoman administration with hereditary tax farms in Homs, Hama and Ma'arrat al-Nu'man.
In an article written by a member of the family, Professor Sadiq Jalal al-Azm, the introductory author, :nl:Jean-Pierre Rondas|Jean-Pierre Rondas, describes Al-Azm as:
There are also claims of the Al-Azm's having "Arab " origins, however, "there is no proof that the Azms themselves claimed to be of beduin origin". Dr Abdul Karim Rafeq treats these statements with great caution, especially the epithet "Arab", which he takes to mean "local" as opposed to Ottoman. Furthermore, there is evidence that Sulayman Pasha al-Azm "knew not a word of Arabic".

Rise to power

Ismail Pasha, who later became wāli of Tripoli, was transferred to Damascus in 1725 at the request of the mufti, after fighting between different factions of janissaries prevented the Hajj caravan from departing on time. His brother became the wali of Tripoli, and his son became the wali of Sidon. In 1730 when Sultam Ahmed III was deposed they were all dismissed, but not for long. Sulayman Pasha al-Azm, brother of Ismail Pasha, became wali of Damascus between 1733 and 1738 and again from 1741 until his death in 1743. He was succeeded by his nephew As'ad Pasha al-Azm who reigned between 1743 and 1757, and was considered the greatest governor of Damascus in Ottoman times. As'ad Pasha overcame all his local adversaries after three years struggle. In his reign Hama and Homs were added to the province of Damascus.
Despite As'ad Pasha's ability to ensure the security of the pilgrim caravan, the new Ottoman authorities in Istanbul deposed him in 1757 after fourteen years of governance. The Grand Vizier at the time, Raghib Pasha, denounced him as a, "peasant son of a peasant," after a deal between the two of them failed. In addition, the Kizlar Agha of Istanbul disliked al-Azm for apparently not taking good care of him when he passed through Damascus on the pilgrim caravan. The Ottoman state was also interested in confiscating the wealth al-Azm accumulated during his tenure in office. The large amounts of money collected made the state revalue its currency. He was transferred to Aleppo and later dismissed and executed. This marked the end of the family's golden age. It continued to assert some influence, and many of its members served as walis later, but its great days were over. The last member of the family to govern Damascus was Abdullah Pasha al-Azm who served intermittently between 1795 and 1807.

Maintaining the Family Name

In the mid-18th century the Al-Azm family reconciled itself to power centres outside the family. Consequently, two members of its family, Layla bint a-Sayyid Ibrahim al-Azm and Khadija bint Nasuh Pasha, were married to Turkish Mamluks in the family's service to retain the 'Azm family name. The lineage descending from Layla indicates that this branch of the family were concentrated around Hama, and many held government posts there.

Legacy

Al-Azm's era brought a building boom to Damascus where dozens of baths, khans, schools and souqs were built, many of which still remain today. Most famous of them are the Azm Palace in Damascus, and the Azm Palace in Hama, both of which were built by As'ad Pasha al-Azm as palatial residences.

Wrong translation of surname

There are some wrong translations from the name al-Azm. Some family members have the family name Azme, Aladem, Alazm, Aladam, Alzm or some other surnames, although they all belong to a family.

Members of the family