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With regard to the wide range of
accurate information ( in relation with different questions on the history of
modern Tunisia ) comprised, this series enjoys an important position. Its
completion by the fiscal and administrative registers gives it further
importance.
Records of the historical series
were gathered in 1874 and 1875 during the Grand Vizir’s (Kheireddine) era. It
was Mohamed Karoui, at the head of the Archives in 1887, who pursued their
organization. He transferred them from the Bardo Palace (the Bey’s residence)
and organized them according to their originating administrations obeying the
sacred archival principle of provenance.
The volume of this series is
estimated at around 92.5 linear meters of records forming 3196 files. Except
some, dating back to the XVIth c and even the XVIIth c, the major part of these
records cover the XVIIIth c and notably the XIXth c.
The historical series records
reflect in their major part the activities generated by the different structures
of the Tunisian state, and the relations established between the population and
the central political power and its representatives on both local and regional
levels, especially the “Caids”. They are a rich source of information quite
revealing about the country’s foreign relations. Arranged according to their
provenance structures, these records are so diversified.
We can mention decrees, administrative correspondences, treaties and conventions
concluded with foreign or Arab countries, correspondences with the Ottoman
Empire,
firmans (orders) and other official and administrative records.
This series consists of six parts reflecting the organization of the state
structures in the
Husseynite Era :
- Part one : this deals with
the “Beys” and the princes of the of the Husseynite Family, statesmen and senior
civil servants.
- Part two : it concerns
some state structures, notably “Beit-el mal” (the Treasury), the Municipal
Council of Tunis, the Official Journal “El raid ettounsi” and the habous or
“Awquaf” (endowments).
It is to signal here that another extremely interesting part, abundantly
informative on the economic, social and political situation on both local and
regional levels, is included here. It concerns the Grand Vizir and the Bey.
- Part three : It is devoted
to financial affairs especially the fiscal system and finances organization, the
Tunisian debt, the Financial Committee, the Budget, and all other questions
relating to the country’s finances which witnessed a severe crisis during the
second half of the XIXth century. This crisis necessitated the application of
reforms which affected the administration of finances.
- Part four : it concerns
the legal affairs, that is the “charaique” justice and the jurisdictions created
following the establishment of the 1861 Constitution. It is extremely important
here to point to the records relating to the cases raised to the “Cirminal
Courts” and “Conciliation Board” (prudhomme).
- Part five : It is devoted
to the affairs, notably the Ministry of War and the Marines. Records here deal
with the organization of these two ministries and their activities, the armies’
roles, the 1864 Insurrection and the correspondences of the above-mentioned
ministries with the Grand Vizir during the second half of the XIXth century.
- Part six : It consists of
files relating to Tunisia’s foreign relations. This includes treaties and
conventions concluded with foreign countries especially Europe during the
XVIIIth and XIXth centuries. It, as well, comprises consular records and files
of the missions and official visits carried by Tunisian figures abroad in
addition to several records relating to the organization of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and its activities after 1860. |
