Ottoman Empire Research Articles

The Legacy of the Waqf Institution in Kosovo during the Period of Sultan Abdulhamid II

This article explores the history of the establishment of Ottoman waqf institutions in Kosovo, with specific emphasis on the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. Through the analysis of primary sources from the Ottoman Archive in Istanbul and the General Directorate of Foundations Archive in Ankara, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the awqaf established by Sultan Abdulhamid II himself, statesmen and the common people known as reaya. The research found that while the first waqf institutions in Kosovo were established by sultans and were large complexes known as külliye, later in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they were established more by the people of the region and were usually small places of worship and other waqf institutions that provided material income such as shops and monetary foundations. The implications of these findings shed light on the role of waqf in the development of Kosovo’s social and economic structures during the late Ottoman period.

Female Individuality and Social Conventions of the Enlightenment in the Correspondence between Valentin Jamеrai-Duval and Anastasia Sokolova

This article examines the interpretation of the theme of the manifestation of female individuality in mid-eighteenth-century Russia on the basis of the correspondence (1762–1774) between Valentin Jamerai-Duval, a French philosopher and autodidact in the Austrian service, and Anastasia Sokolova, a lady-in-waiting to Empress Catherine II, married to De Ribas. At the beginning of the correspondence, Jamerai-Duval’s interest in Russia, like that of many Europeans, is based on inaccurate book sources and common stereotypes. Their conceptual motifs are “barbarism”, ignorance and violence, both in the family and in society. The dialogue between the two correspondents gradually overcomes these stereotypes. They discuss a wide range of issues related to the expression of the female personality: choice of spouse and celibacy, love and sensual pleasure in marriage; criteria of attractiveness (physical and mental beauty), following fashion and individual style, etc. Special attention is paid in the correspondence to the questions of women’s education and intellectual development, in which reading plays an important role. The Russian-Turkish war of 1768–1774 reactivated the issue of violence against women, this time as a need to protect them from the despotism of the infidels in the Ottoman Empire. Ignorance and religious prejudice in the environment of the Old Believers are also seen by the correspondents as a manifestation of tyranny over women’s personality.

Verification and Establishment of Techniques of Ajami Artwork

Ajami, a technique of painted wood paneling, was popular in the Ottoman Empire from the 17th to the late 18th centuries. Ajami art became prominent in Syria after the decline of tile production, and it rose to a sophisticated level of art in both local and global markets. Today, however, Ajami art has become almost forgotten and unknown by the modern generation, due to being an exclusive art that can be seen only in palaces, museums, and historical houses. This study investigates the traditional method and techniques of making Ajami, with a focus on the work of a renowned Syrian Ajami art master artisan named Mr. Abdulraouf. The study aims to identify and document the traditional method of Ajami production and determine the materials and techniques used for making Ajami. The study found that Ajami art consists of natural elements that are utilized in four main stages; foundation, design, painting, and finishing. The artisans have a strong preference for floral and geometric designs, influenced by Islamic religious beliefs. The findings of this study could serve as an educational guide to preserve heritage and make it presentable for the present and future generations.

In Dabouki Land: Interdisciplinary notes on the cultural history of a landrace grape cultivar in Israel

Cultivated for millennia, the grapevine held a special status as one of the most important fruits in the historical Levant and the Mediterranean world. However, since past farmers typically did not leave written accounts of their activities, viticulture history is often shrouded in ambiguity, especially concerning the classification of grapevine landrace varieties. Hence, the study of archaic viticulture relies heavily on methodological fusion to unravel its more readily discernible biological and oral traditions. We therefore merged archaeological fieldwork, historical archival analysis, field geography and ethnographic interviews to collect multifarious data on the Dabouki grapevine. Our analytical synthesis enabled us to depict how, over the course of history, diverse communities variously grew this cultivar in dryland vineyards. The cultural history of the Dabouki stretches from at least the Ottoman era, when it was widely planted throughout the region under various names, to its current revival by enterprising Israeli and Palestinian winemakers. The majority of our research was conducted within a unique environmental corridor in the western Negev of Israel where dense concentrations of relic Dabouki grapevine survive. Our paper surveys the cultural history of the Dabouki grape as a flagship cultivar in the intergenerational horticultural regimes of arid land farmers in the western Negev of the southern Levant. Remarkably, archaic Negev viticulturalists used the same cultivars across successive historical periods and varying socioeconomic contexts. As such, the paper illustrates that arid regions with longstanding winegrowing traditions are ideal for locating endemic grapevines that apparently can withstand challenging growing conditions. Focusing on the enduring legacy of the Dabouki, we suggest how historical knowledge of ancient dryland farming systems and landrace cultivars can bolster the sustainability of contemporary viticulture.

The role of the labor movements in the colonial spaces: trade unionism in Palestine and Lebanon in the colonial era (1920-1948)

ABSTRACT This article aims to demonstrate how the working class evolved and was organised in Palestine and Lebanon between 1920 and 1948. Palestine and Lebanon, which share characteristics such as being a part of the Ottoman Empire and being governed by mandates, also share similar experiences in combating sectarianism based on nationality or religion. The establishment of British rule in Palestine and French administration in Lebanon after World War I also influenced the trade union movement in these two countries: Nationalism flourished, trade unions became tools of politics, and the divide and rule policy of the colonial administration made organization difficult. Although these administrations were referred to as ‘mandates’ of the League of Nations, they actually experienced a colonization process and its effects similar to those in Africa. In this study, particularly the concept of colonization will be used, and the activities of trade unions in colonial regions will be examined through two Middle Eastern countries. While the Palestinian trade unions, which struggled against both British colonization and settler colonialism, were effective in preserving Palestinian identity, the Lebanese trade unions, dealing with French colonization as well as sectarianism, also managed to significantly preserve working-class unity.

The Role Of The State In Turkey’s Domestic Automobile initiatives (Devrim and Togg)

The automotive sector, where the highest foreign investments are made in the world, plays a critical role in the economic development of countries. The reason why the automotive sector is the locomotive in the development of national economies is that it has strong ties with other industrial branches of the economy in the production process. Therefore, the sector is seen as a strategic development tool by governments. Therefore, supporting the sector through various incentives or direct public capital is a long-standing development policy. In this study, the development stages of Turkey's automotive industry, the policies pursued by the state to strengthen the automotive industry, and other factors that contributed to the development of Turkey's automotive industry are examined specifically through Turkey's two domestic automobile initiatives (Devrim and Togg). In line with the aim of the research, studies on the automotive sector in Turkey from the Ottoman period to the present have been analyzed. In particular, a detailed literature review was conducted with the studies on Turkey's first domestic automobile initiative, Devrim cars. The resource dependency theory, which is considered to be related to the subject of the study, was examined and then the relationship between the state and the business world in Turkey was briefly summarized. Finally, the role of the state in Turkey's domestic automobile initiatives (Devrim and Togg) was analyzed.

Characterization of İscehisar Andesite (Afyonkarahisar-Turkey), Used as a Building Stone Source of Historical Heritages from Ancient Times to the Present

Most historical structures that have survived to the present day are constructed from natural stones. One such natural stone is andesite. This study conducted a series of characterization studies on andesites used as building stones in Afyonkarahisar (Turkey). The building stones in question were determined by the petrographic-mineralogical (polarizing microscope, XRD, SEM), chemical, pore diameter distribution, and physico-mechanical properties. Although the İscehisar andesite is not as well-known as the İscehisar marble, it is a volcanic rock widely used in cultural heritage sites such as mosques, fountains, and bridges that have survived from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods to the present day in Afyonkarahisar. Despite the presence of pink, brown, and gray-black colors in the İscehisar andesite, it is evident that the preference in historical buildings is mainly for gray-black variants. Andesite, marble, and limestone, such as İscehisar Bridge from the Hellenistic period, Kırkgöz Bridge from the Byzantine era, Altıgöz Bridge from the Seljuk period, and Kanlı Göl Bridge from the Ottoman period, were used together in various combinations. Mosques are another group of structures in which andesite and other volcanic rocks are heavily used, such as bridges. While tuff is commonly used in examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture that have survived to the present day, andesite and other volcanic rocks along with bricks have also been used to construct dozens of mosques. Andesites found in the İscehisar region continue to be widely extracted, cut, and shaped using different surface processing techniques and are used today.

Влияние проекта «Великий шелковый путь» на внешнюю политику Турции

. In the modern world, control of transit and communication routes means significant geopolitical influence, in this regard, these routes include various transport and communication networks such as sea lanes, air corridors, land trade routes and internet cables. Control of these routes is of great importance both economically and strategically, therefore, each state prioritizes the control of these routes in its foreign policy. In this regard, Turkey is not an exception. The Ottoman state, the predecessor of the modern Republic of Turkey, considered it important to control the transit channels throughout history. Analyzing the geopolitical effects of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul also allows us to understand the importance of controlling communication routes in the modern era. Currently, the new Great Silk Road project occupies an important place in Turkish foreign policy, as it will allow the country to strengthen its place in the system of international relations. In the article, research is conducted on the issues mentioned above and the results are discussed.

The Beginning of Ottoman-Brazilian Relations and the Visit of Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II and his Wife Empress Teresa Cristina to the Ottoman Empire and the Holy Lands [1876]

The Beginning of Ottoman-Brazilian Relations and the Visit of Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II and his Wife Empress Teresa Cristina to the Ottoman Empire and the Holy Lands [1876]

Arhaeological Research in Okhtyrka — the Arhaeology of War

The article is devoted to the result of archaeological research carried out on the territory of the Okhtyrka fortress of the second half of the 17th–18th centuries. Excavations were conducted in the basement of the Okhtyrka Municipal Local History Museum. The building was severely damaged because of the night bombing in spring 2022. During the reconstruction of the museum, the workers had discovered archaeological artefacts. In the result of archaeological research, there were discovered the remains of a building buried in virgin soil. The most informative were the remains of the cellar walls. In the filling of the building, there were distinguished two layers separated by a sterile one. In the lower layer, the vast majority of fragments of tiles and furnace slag were found, and in the upper layer — numerous fragments of pottery and individual finds. The analysis of the artefacts location and the general stratigraphy allows presuming preliminary conclusions. The dwelling had two levels — the ground living level with the furnace and the underground one, or a cellar. The level had a massive ceiling made of oak logs and a wooden construction made of logs with a diameter of 0.15–0.25 m. The space between the wooden construction and virgin soil was filled with yellow sand. Mostly, in the filling of the dwelling were found light clay pottery fragments and some items covered with green glaze. The tiles were decorated with stylised floral ornament. Among the imports, the most noticeable are a handle of a faience cup produced in the Ottoman Empire and fragments of clay bottles of Riga balsam. In addition, a faience ointment jar, produced in Germany or Austria in the 18th century. Based on the analysis of the finds, the time of construction of the building is dated to the 20s–30s, and the time of destruction — 70s–80s of the 18th century. The first date is indicated by a coin minted in 1731, found in a piece of preserved oak log, and the second one by the lower part of a clay bottle, found on the floor of the cellar. Some of the imported finds are related to medicine, so we can assume using the building as a pharmacy in the last years of its existing.

Book Review: Historicizing Sunni Islam in the Ottoman Empire, c. 1450–c. 1750

The book examines Ottoman Sunnism’s evolution, orthodoxy, and spatial dimensions. Divided into three chapters, it critically engages with historical narratives, doctrinal debates, and socio-political dynamics shaping Ottoman Sunnism. Chapter I reevaluates Sunnī orthodoxy by tracing its historical dialogue with the past and the present. It examines the emergence of a new hadith culture in the sixteenth century, challenges conventional views through Shāhzādah Qorqud’s writings, explores the influence of Ibn Taymiyyah on Ottoman thought, redefines knowledge boundaries in Ottoman catechisms, and scrutinizes perceptions of heresy in Ottoman society. Moreover, Chapter II focuses on the spatial dimensions of Sunnitization, exploring how pious communities were constructed within urban institutions and convents. It investigates the transformation of spaces like the ʿimārah into mosques, the integration of Abdāl-affiliated convents into Khalwatī darwīsh networks, and the role of imāms in congregational prayers during the Ottoman Sunnitization era. Chapter III delves into the contextual and genre-specific nature of confessional politics, shedding light on the complexities of Sunnī-Shiʿī’ relations and Ottoman-Safavid diplomacy. It reexamines the portrayal of Qizilbash actors in Ottoman borderlands, evaluates Ottoman historical writing through the lens of Islamic history, and explores Islamic discourse in Ottoman-Safavid diplomatic exchanges.

The Return of the Oppressed: Notes on Kurdish Anti-colonialism

Abstract This article critically examines the historical trajectory and contemporary manifestations of Kurdish anti-colonialism. The analysis unfolds in two parts, dissecting the intricate relationship between theory and action within the Kurdish struggle. The historical dimension delves into Ottoman-era Turkish-style colonization, elucidating the displacement strategies employed by the Ottoman state. The study underscores the delayed integration of the colonialism concept into the Kurdish intellectual framework, shedding light on the challenges faced by the oppressed in articulating their anti-colonial narrative. The second part scrutinizes the ideological challenges within the Kurdish anti-colonial discourse. The instrumental use of the slogan “Kurdistan is a colony” is explored, emphasizing the dominance of socialist objectives over national liberation aspirations. The impact of socialism and pan-Islamism on Kurdish politics and the linguistic complexities that obscure the colonial difference through language are examined. Contemporary dynamics, such as the Peace and Democracy Process and political violence, are analyzed to provide insights into the evolving nature of the Kurdish struggle. The resurgence of colonial theory within Kurdish society, particularly through techno-Kurdishness, is explored, highlighting the role of modern communication technologies in reshaping the narrative. The article concludes by reflecting on the potential of the Kurdish struggle to inspire global resistance movements.

Ottoman Bazaars in Anatolia and the Balkans

Bazaars were spaces that formed the center of the cities during the Ottoman period, had a certain order, and were shaped spatially and architecturally depending on the geographical-topographical characteristics and commercial potential of each city. Proximity to the citadels, connection with city gates and main roads, relations with Friday mosque and other public buildings in the city were the main factors shaping the bazaar spatially. In bazaars, where bedesten and khans, and in some cases covered bazaar-arastas, appeared on a building scale, shops that lined on open or covered streets formed the architecture of the bazaar. In addition to these, the sovereignty and order established by the state over trade during the Ottoman period, the institution of waqf, and the guilds of tradesmen also played a decisive role in the bazaar. With the bazaars examined, it is concluded that while administrative and commercial influences in the shaping of bazaars in Anatolian and Balkan cities during the Ottoman period created bazaar spaces with similar qualities, urban inputs led to the differentiation of bazaars in terms of scale, spatial and architectural qualities.

Development of the City of Nikšić through the Planning Documentation of Croatian Architects

The task of this work is to present three key urban plans, courtesy of which the city of Nikšić developed during its modern history. After liberation from the Ottoman Empire in 1877, Nikšić received its first regulatory plan, prepared by the architect Josip Slade Šilović (1828-1911) in 1883. The city developed according to this plan until the Second World War. After the Second World War, Montenegro became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a republic, and Nikšić became the city with the highest degree of urbanisation in that federation. This rapid urbanisation was directed by the second urban plan, carried out by the Urban Planning Institute of the Faculty of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy, Zagreb, in 1954-1958. The author of this plan was the professor and architect, Josip Seissel (1904-1987). The third urban plan of importance for the city was carried out by the Urban Planning Institute of Croatia, Zagreb, in 1984 and was adopted in 1986. This urban plan enabled a logical upgrade of the previous two plans. A result of these three urban plans by Croatian architects is Nikšić’s unique form and urban identity.

An Authentic Example of Ottoman-Era Wooden Summerhouses; Cemil Topuzlu Kiosk

The beginning of the 18th century is known as the “Westernization Period” in Ottoman architecture. It was in this period that Western-born architectural movements found their way into the Ottoman Empire. This was also a time in which new types of structures emerged in Ottoman architecture as the Western influence continued to permeate both religious and civil architecture. This impact also affected the Ottoman culture of housing, leading to important changes in residential structures. The new cultural elements arriving from the West began to be apparent in the plans, facades, interiors, and decorative components of the homes of the affluent, most of which were built by Western architects. This was a time in which lifestyles were changing, and especially in the capital of Istanbul, a rich assortment of residential architecture was expressed in styles that included the Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic, Orientalism, Art Nouveau, Eclecticism, Swiss Châlet, and Late Victorian. One of the new types of structures that appeared in this period was the summerhouse. While these houses belonged to the wealthy Ottoman elite and reflected the traditional Ottoman residential fabric in their plans and styles, a large number carried the architectural characteristics of the summerhouses and mansions of the West. The aim of this article is to describe an authentic example of the group of wooden summerhouses that were outstanding products of Ottoman residential architecture in the 19th century, at a time when the Empire’s cultural norms were turning toward the West. The characteristics of the plans of these buildings, the configuration of their facades and decorative elements will be presented, as will other information on the wooden summerhouses of the period.

Identity, Clothing, and Criminal Mobility in Early Modern Ottoman Society

In the early modern Ottoman Empire, social identity was closely tied to a hierarchical structure, with the sultanate occupying the highest tier and ordinary subjects positioned at the lower end. Empire’s inhabitants were divided into groups based on the style and color of their clothes. By dressing in clothing from a different gender, socioeconomic class, or ethnoreligious group, one could disguise their true identity and social status. This article endeavors to unveil the motivations that compelled ordinary people to employ clothing as a means to conceal their involvement in criminal activities. Furthermore, it investigates the constraints associated with common identity-altering practices, particularly from the vantage points of religion, gender, and intersectionality. Drawing from an array of archival sources such as mühimme records, chronicles, manuscripts, and qadi court registers, the article scrutinizes the consequences of these practices.

Tanzimat Reforms and the Ottoman Empire’s Reaction to Western Powers, 1839-1876

The Ottoman Empire entered the 19th century under pressure to preserve its existence against Western powers. Dismissing the illusions of past superiority, the Ottoman court acknowledged that reforms had to be instituted to end the Empire’s long-time stagnation and instability. The Tanzimat reform movement was the most significant reaction of the Ottoman Empire to the Western powers during the period between 1839 and 1876. During the Tanzimat period, all aspects of the empire were reshaped in a new way with certain success. Through Tanzimat, the Ottoman Empire continued to preserve its position as one of the major powers of the European political order, re-established its autonomy in domestic affairs, and successfully defended its sovereignty in many disputed regions with considerable might against a powerful emerging West.

Between cities and villages: the livestock economy in historical Palestine

This study aims at establishing a historically based model of animal husbandry in urban and rural settlements, in the Southern Levant. This type of model is required in the field of zooarchaeology, to better analyze and study ancient faunal remains. It also applies a non-traditional method to study and differentiate between urban and rural economies. For this aim, we used British Mandate tax files and village statistics. These are the best available historical documents for this period, that recorded herds management statistics in all settlements of Palestine. We selected only settlements inhabited by the indigenous population and divided the data into four environmental regions. We analyzed the livestock abundance and herd demography in each region. Each urban center was considered independently, while the rural villages were classified into three groups, based on the most common livestock (cattle, sheep, or goats). Results show economic variations between urban and rural settlements as well as regional trends, such as in pastoralism and agricultural management. In addition, meat industries were common in most urban centers, being the primary difference from rural economies. We applied this model to two large zooarchaeological case studies, dating from the Early Islamic to the Ottoman period; Mount Zion, located in the urban city of Jerusalem, and Tel Beth Shemesh (East), whose size and nature were not historically recorded. We found that the economic variations reflected in the model were also present in the faunal assemblages.

The Tragedy of Humanity: Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta Revisited

Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta is a significant example of the transition from Morality Plays to a period of more developed and mature drama in the Elizabethan period. The themes that Marlowe handles and the protagonist he presents in the play emerge as aspects of a distinctive approach to dramatic representation and the concept of drama of that time. The play is set against the background of the struggle for economic, political, and military dominance between the Catholic Spain and Moslem Ottoman Empires and the Catholic administration and Jewish mercantile class in Malta. Religious conflicts and bigotry, intrigues, betrayals, and revenge plans committed by almost all characters representing different religious communities, ethnic prejudices that affect not only individuals but also the whole society, greed, and moral corruption emerge as the basic themes. Although the full title of the play was Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta, the play could not gain the status of a tragedy in the Aristotelian or Elizabethan sense of the word for many critics due to its dominant farcical characteristics. For a modern reader, however, The Jew of Malta can be considered as a satirical tragedy, the tragedy not of the protagonist Barabas, but of humanity that craves material benefits and political power, and for the sake of achieving these, commits all kinds of villanies including exploitation, theft, and murder, and as a result, socially experiences the fall of the tragic hero.

The Role of Armenian Forces in the Defense of Tabriz (September 1724)

This study delves into the hitherto unexplored involvement of Armenian troops in the defense of Tabriz in 1724, drawing on an extensive analysis of historical materials. In 1723-1724, the Ottoman Empire launched invasions into Safavid Iran from several directions. By September 1724, one Ottoman army, led by Abdullah Pasha of Van, advanced towards Tabriz and attempted to storm the city. During the ensuing battle, the Turkish forces were soundly defeated and driven back, suffering approximately 20,000 casualties. European sources emphasize the significant role played by Armenian military units in the decisive victory at the Battle of Tabriz, the sole triumph for Persian forces during the 1724 campaign. Notably, the majority of these units arrived from Karabakh. The Armenian troops were instrumental in virtually annihilating the elite Janissary corps within Abdullah Pasha's army. This article identifies the Armenian detachments involved in the defense of Tabriz, listing their commanders: Parsadan-bek, Melik-Egan, Pilibek Basaurov, David, Abidjan, Aghajan, Akhnazar, Balig, among others.