Ottoman Empire's industrialization process in 18th and 19thcentury and Konya Saltpeter Factory

In this study, the process of industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries of the Ottoman Empire, and "Konya Saltpeter Factory" which continued its existence from Ottoman Empire to era of Republic of Turkey are the subjects. The first examples of industrialization in the Ottoman Empire are based on the Ehl-i Hiref Organization, which is responsible for supplying the needs of the palace and the army. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the process of industrialization, which was our main subject, was examined in three periods, before 1826, between 1826-1870 and the period after 1870. Looking at the before 1826 period, the first examples were the weaving workshops in Bursa in 1704 and in Thessaloniki in 1712-1714. In the period between 1826-1870, beside the construction of the factories, a Reform Commission in Industry was established. With the establishment of this commission, big companies were formed by combining tradesmen, primarily on leather shopkeepers who lost their effectiveness in Istanbul, and a strong industry was tried to be established. Also in this period, the establishment of the so-called Islahane and later called the School of Industry, were established and the need for trained staff needs tried to meet. When the period after 1870 is examined, the construction of industrial schools was continued in this period and the factories established by private entrepreneurs started to be seen besides state factories. During the 19th century, many factories were established, primarily in the textile and defense sectors. Although the date of establishment is not known precisely, Konya Saltpeter Factory, which we know is a state-owned organization during this century, has been one of the important industrial enterprises of the Ottoman Empire. One of the most important factories supplying saltpeter to Baruthane-i Amire with Kayseri Saltpeter Factory. This factory, which was generally under military rule, continued its production from 1842 until the First World War. Although there were cuts in production after this date, it continued its production until 1958. In 1958, it was closed due to the decrease of its production and its employees and it was replaced with vegetable market. Keywords: Ehl-i hiref organization, ıslahhane, kayseri saltpeter factory, konya saltpeter factory, konya, ottoman ındustrialization process, school of ındustry