This article deals with the formation of the "aghawat stratum" in Damascus in the first half of the nineteenth century. Emphasis is laid upon three points: 1) period in which the aghawat constituted themselves as a social stratum; 2) their relations with other social groups; 3) their economic bases. Since 1965 when the first attempt was made by A.Hourani to clarify the a'yan's (notables') activities in modernization of their country, the subject has proved of sufficient interest for not a few scholars to follow Hourani's path. Their researches show that these notables belonged to two social 'classes: the efendiya and the aghawat. The former was composed of high-ranking civil officials and the religious establishment. The latter consisted of the commanders and officers in charge of the Janissary corps (Damascus garrison) as well as the mercenary troops brought into Syria since as early as the 17th century. In earlier days, these commanding officers used to live in the barracks alloted to them. They began one by one to leave there and conduct a family life in the city. At first their houses concentrated in the Maydan and Salihiya quarters outside the city wall. Afterward some moved into the city itself, and were followed by others. By 1831, their houses had scattered all over the city and as a result the aghawat gained influence in their quarters. Between 1790s and 1830s they grew to form a distinct "stratum" in Damascus. Historical sources called them "aghawat al-balad" (the aghawat of the city). In 1831 under the leadership of the aghawat citizens rose against a new taxation in every quater of Damascus and thus put an end to the new tax. Between 1784 and 1831 various social disturbances occurred in Damascus: oppressive measures taken by the walis (governors), unrest caused by various domestic and foreign incidents, epidemics, popular uprisings, armed conflicts, etc. The serious armed conflicts were of three types: a) the wali against troops; b) some troops against the other; c) a new wali against his predecessor. In the frequent struggles between the yerliya and the qapiqulu (local and imperial Janissaries respectively) the citizens of the Maydan quarter took the former's side and those of the Shaghur and 'Amara quarters took the latter's. Through these fightings, the aghawat increased their political power, which gave them the opportunity of intervening eagerly in disputes between troops. The aghawat in neutral position often acted or were called upon to act as peacemakers. Mediation by the aghawat in command of the mercenary troop deli was especially effective, because this troop was ranked third in strength after the yerliya and the qapiqulu. At the beginning the aghawat lived essentially on their wages. But they were seen, as early as in the second half of the seventeenth century, to take up many side jobs. First, within the bounds of Damascus city, having made themselves appointed shaykhs of guilds, some were in control of these corporations from whose members they collected taxes, Some held warehouses for daily goods: grains, meat, coal, etc. and made profits by manipulating market prices. Some engaged in trade with other cities, Istanbul, Baghdad, Cairo. They spent their money in founding waqfs (charitable endowments) and maintained their rights over them. Second, outside Damascus, the aghawat undertook land management through tax-farming (iltizam) in agricultural areas such as Ghuta, Hawran, Biqa'or purchasing gardens in the suburbs of Damascus. It was in these conditions that they legally became landowners by virtue of the edict of land reform in 1858.
