Podlaskie Voivodeship (1513–1795)

The Podlaskie Voivodeship was an administrative division and local government unit within the Kingdom of Poland and later the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1513 to 1795. It was located in the eastern part of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, bordering the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the east and Mazovia to the west. Its capital was Białystok from the mid-18th century onward (previously Drohiczyn).

Established after the incorporation of Podlasie into the Crown, the Voivodeship was primarily inhabited by a mix of Polish and Ruthenian (ancestors of modern-day Ukrainians and Belarusians) populations. It was one of the larger voivodeships of the Commonwealth, notable for its agricultural output and strategic importance in defending against invasions from the east.

The Voivodeship was governed by a voivode (governor) appointed by the king, who resided in Białystok. It also had a sejmik, a regional assembly of nobility that convened in Drohiczyn, responsible for electing deputies to the Sejm (parliament) and local officials.

The administrative structure of the Podlaskie Voivodeship was further subdivided into powiats (districts). These included:

• Bielsk
• Brańsk
• Drohiczyn
• Mielnik

The economy of the Podlaskie Voivodeship was largely based on agriculture, forestry, and trade. The region was known for its fertile lands, particularly suitable for grain production. The Narew and Bug rivers served as important transportation routes for goods.

The voivodeship ceased to exist after the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, when its territory was annexed by Prussia and Russia. It was superseded by administrative divisions established by these partitioning powers. The name "Podlaskie" was later revived for a voivodeship in modern Poland, although it does not precisely correspond to the borders of the historical unit.