Scholarly works pertaining to interactions between the Ottoman Empire and its European counterparts have predominantly concentrated on the pre-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This is primarily attributed to the widely held view among historians that the Ottoman Empire's political, military, and commercial relationships with Europe were most significant during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Moreover, the sources produced in subsequent centuries have focused on a limited number of cities and mainly explored the relations among non-Muslim communities, such as Orthodox merchants. Such diaspora-centric studies have tended to adopt a nationalist or religious framework for historical analysis, prioritizing communal bonds while overlooking the interdependence and interactions among different communities.
By examining the movements of individuals and the resulting processes, structures, and consequences, the concept of mobility provides a valuable framework for analyzing potential interactions and interdependencies. The primary focus of this investigation is, therefore, to examine the mobility patterns of Ottoman subjects who either dwelled or traveled to and from Habsburg lands during the years 1823, 1824, and 1825. To accomplish this task, three voluminous archival registers, which were produced by Habsburg authorities during the designated period, are subject to detailed analysis. However, it is important to note that the temporal scope of the registers is not limited to the three years during which they were created. In fact, some of the information recorded in the registers can date back up to fifty years prior to the registration date. The registers contain information such as name, age, religion, and/or nationality, as well as family member details if applicable, the location of registration, descriptions of physical characteristics and clothing, date and place of birth, occupation, and relevant passport details including issuance reason, date, location, and authority. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the registers may include not only factual information, but also subjective opinions or statements from the registrar regarding the individuals or groups being registered. Furthermore, the registers also documented the intentions of the individuals present regarding their stay in the destination. The ultimate goal is thereby to offer a more comprehensive understanding of socio-economic and political phenomena during the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries that facilitated interaction between individuals from diverse societies, with a focus on all Ottoman subjects, irrespective of their ethnic or religious background.
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Last update: May 19, 2023