Trabzon according to inheritance registers (1703-1754)

This dissertation examines the historical outlook of Trabzon by analyzing Estate records preserved in the Trabzon Sharia court records between 1703 and 1754. Specifically, it explores the demographic, socio-cultural, and economic panorama of the city's inhabitants on the basis of these records. In doing so, the study also seeks to contribute to research on the urban history of Trabzon. The dissertation is structured in three parts. The first part investigates the demographic structure of Trabzon through estate records. At this stage, aspects such as the gender and religious distribution of estate holders, places of residence, personal names, family structures, possible causes of population growth, and instances of polygamy are evaluated in the context of inheritance data. The second part focuses on the socio-cultural landscape of Trabzon as reflected in the estate records. It examines the titles and epithets used in the city, causes and places of death of estate owners, the presence of slaves and concubines, as well as various household items and their functions. The final part addresses the economic dimension of Trabzon from multiple perspectives. It analyzes visitors to the city for trade, occupational groups, animal husbandry, the general distribution of wealth, and the prices of movable and immovable property, supported by graphs and tables.