An urban society in the making: The case of Bursa in the seventeenth century

This dissertation focuses on cultural dynamics of seventeenth-century Bursa, exploring transformations within the urban sphere of the early modern Ottoman Empire. By examining various aspects of urban cultural production, this study aims to uncover the constitution of urban culture and the development of a distinctive sense of belonging among urban dwellers. It investigates the roles played by specific social groups, particularly members of the middling sort, in creating and disseminating urban culture. Based on a range of archival and literary sources, the dissertation analyzes how urban cultural production was fostered through charitable acts, literary activities, and patterns of readership and book ownership. It emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between the city and its inhabitants, highlighting how urban awareness and identity were constructed and expressed through acts of charity, the establishment of waqfs, literary production, and the patronage of arts and public works. By integrating the concept of early modernity, this dissertation situates itself within ongoing debates in Ottoman historiography and engages with the broader themes of urbanization and social change. Through a detailed case study of Bursa, the dissertation reveals how the city's cultural and social networks contributed to a unique urban identity, characterized by a strong sense of belonging and pride. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of early modern urbanity in the Ottoman Empire and the complex interplay between urban spaces, social groups, and cultural production.