Waqfs in Eskişehir in the last century of Ottoman State according to waqfiyas (1818-1920)

Foundations (waqfs), as well as being an important part of the social life since the earliest periods of the Islamic civilization, also made a major contribution to the construction and the development of Ottoman cities. The costs of religious, educational, health and municipal services including the operations of mosques, madrasahs, hospitals, bridges, inns, and bathhouses are all covered with foundations. The focus of our work is foundations established in Eskişehir in the 19th and 20th centuries. 114 foundations are identified in the Ankara Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü (Ankara Foundations General Directorate) archives. Eskişehir foundations are analyzed in four sections; founders and their social status, being either moveable or immoveable properties, service areas, and budget and attendants. Foundations are also analyzed according to the founders' being whether locals or immigrants. In this context, we have tried to ascertain the demographic structure of Eskişehir by identifying the villages and neighborhoods established by immigrants. It is observed that the public is not affected by polemics among scholars about the estates since most of the foundation properties are moveable. While the religious foundations are majority, there are also a few educational and family foundations. Compensation is provided for attendants and therefore foundations are provided employment for a significant amount of people. With our analysis, we have identified that while foundations are established for various areas of civil life they are mostly focused on religious services.