The Druze District Governor Nasib Beik Jumblatt and the Ottoman Policy in Mount Lebanon

Abstract

This study examines the policies of the Ottoman Empire in the Shouf region during the 19th century, focusing on the prominent figures of the area. In this context, the Ottoman state's approach to the influence of Nasib Jumblatt, a significant political figure from the Jumblatt family, in the region will be discussed. As the Ottoman central government's authority weakened in the 19th century, the rivalry between the Jumblatts and Arslans, two long-standing families in the region, intensified. As a result, acquiring the district governorship of Shouf, where the Druze were densely populated, became crucial for perpetuating the influence of both families. For this reason, this study examines the political maneuvers of the Arslan and Jumblatt families in order to control the district of Shouf, as well as the activities of Nasib Jumblatt as district governor. The study will also discuss the manifestations of international interventions in Mount Lebanon. Finally, the Ottoman state's approach to the British influence in shaping Nasib Jumblatt's political identity will be another aspect of the study.