Grain supply of Istanbul during the reign of ahmed III: Actors, organization and problems

There are many studies that directly or indirectly examine the provisioning of Istanbul in the early modern period. However, the nature of the solutions implemented by the state in the period 1703-1730 to ensure Istanbul's grain supply hasn't been the subject of research. The change in internal and external political structures during this period resulted in the centralization of power in the hands of non-dynastic forces such as the pasha gates, and increased social observation of consumption in the palace and the officeof the grand vizirate. In this context, the provisioning of the capital gained a new political meaning and became sometimes the cause and sometimes the consequence of certain social movements, as was the case in the revolts of 1703 and 1730. It was during this period that some changes were made, especially in the provision of grain for Istanbul. The thesis presents this view in three separate chapters by expanding the arguments. First, it discusses the food system in place for Istanbul prior to 1703 and the transformation of Istanbul's food supply since 1703 -within the framework of the factors that changed this period- in comparison with previous periods. Secondly, the change in the roles of the sultan, the office of grand vizirate, the kadi of Istanbul, the muhtesip and the tradesmen's associations in the political management of Istanbul's grain supply is discussed. Finally, the grain supply organization of Istanbul, the supply actors who played a role in this organization and managed the supply in practical terms, how the transportation took place, the causes of the problems that occurred in this process and the nature of the solutions, and the regions that contributed to Istanbul's grain supply are discussed. This thesis aims to show that the economic, social and political developments and the accompanying problems in the years 1703-1730 brought the issue of provisioning to a different point.