Transcription and evaluation of Ankara Sharia Registry of number 178 (H.1202-1205/M.1787-1791)

Ankara is a sanjak of Anatolian State in 18th century. Ottoman Empire fought against Austria (1787-1791) and Russia (1787-1792) at the end of 18th century. During the war, Özi the castle was occupied by the Russians (1788), and the castles named Kili, Akkerman, Anapa and Ismail were subsequently captured by Russia (1789). In the same years, Sultan Abdulhamid I died (1789) and III. Selim ascended the throne. At the end of the same century, incidents regarding ayanship advanced in Ankara, the amount of woolen cloth produced in Ankara gradually decreased as a result of pressures from abroad, while the Ottoman economy began to weaken due to the capitulations offered to foreign states. Similar to other Anatolian cities, Ankara was negatively affected due to such events. Kadı registers were kept by Kadıs, who were the most important officers and law enforcers in the rural provinces of the Ottoman State on behalf of the Sultan. These registers are among the first-hand sources that would provide insight on the history of Ottoman cities, the central and provincial organization, and the social and economic lives of the people. Ankara sharia registry of number 178 covers the years 1787-1791 (H.1202-1205). By utilizing the transcription text, the administrative, socio-economic and cultural life of Ankara belonging to these years was examined. In the second half of 18th century, the events that took place in the Ottoman Empire as well as the reflections of the central government on the district administration were evaluated. Hereby it is particularly aimed to contribute to the city history of Ankara.