Istanbul porters of Abdülhamid II Period

The porterage organization in the Ottoman Empire underwent radical transformations as a result of the social and economic changes of the early twentieth century and eventually began to unravel. The combination of this process with factors such as the rise of ideological movements in the ports and the famine of the late 19th century directly affected the identity and working conditions of the porters. Porters constituted a crucial group in Ottoman society where various subcultures converged, forming a shared professional identity.The decline of the porter profession serves as a significant source for understanding the changes in the late period of Ottoman society. The reasons and consequences of the decline of this profession depict a portrait of social disintegration and polarization in Ottoman society during its final era. Irregularities among porters have contributed to an increase in security issues in society. This situation is a notable indicator of the social changes in the late period of the Ottoman Empire. The collapse of the porter organization signifies not only an economic change but also points to changes in social relations and trust dynamics. In the final years of the Ottoman Empire, porters faced various challenges, including the impacts of modernization, famine, political actors, and capital. This situation turned porters into a group sought to be controlled by different powers such as the state, foreign companies, and Armenian committees. The political significance of the porter guild was perceived as part of a culture of violence. Keywords Abdülhamid II, Porters, Armenian Committees, Famine, Emigration