Unpaid Ottoman Coal Miners During The Early Twentieth Century

Abstract

This chapter is intended as a tribute to Suraiya Faroqhi and her contributions to the field of Ottoman social and economic history. It suggests the precarious financial status of many mine operators and by extension many industrial investors, even a successful one like Panos Courdgis, an exceptionally able and well-connected entrepreneur. The chapter examines a number of the ledger's entries that illuminate the character of those involved in a web of debt relations in this early 20th century Ottoman coalfield. It also examines the holders of notes, intervals, debt owners, and debt types. The chapter discusses the length of time, the interval, that elapsed between the work done and the two groups of persons holding the promissory notes: (1) the holders to whom the promissory notes had been transferred and (2) the original individuals owed payments in arrears. Keywords: debt owners; early 20th century Ottoman coalfield; ledger's entries; Ottoman history; promissory notes; Suraiya Faroqhi