The rusk bakery of Gallipoli as a family business Bulgarogullari family (1710-1861)

The first half of the 18th century was a period of economic prosperity in Ottoman geography. Bulgarogullari was a Greek family whose first traces were found in Gallipoli in such a period in 1710. While producing rusks for the state navy like other non-muslim tradesmen, Bulgarogullari separated themselves from others in time and gained a certain reputation by monopolizing the rusk bakery of Gallipoli. By the 19th century, it is seen that the family had accumulated a considerable amount of capital. The family had ostensibly expanded their capital volume at least until 1861, when their business was lost, and they began investing in other areas. Through the example of Bulgarogullari, the scope of this thesis is to discuss the issue of capital accumulation in the Ottomans at the intersection of economic history and microhistory. In doing so, this thesis makes certain inferences regarding the character of the capital-state relationship, and eventually, supports the concept of "Ottoman-style capital unit" in order to describe its character. While examining the productions of the family, this thesis also carries out a study of family history to the extent permitted by the resources. Furthermore, this dissertation also makes some inferences regarding the profession of rusk-making in the Ottomans.