The history of Bolu in the Reformation Period (1868-1869) According to 937 Judical Records (Şer'iye Sicilleri)

Bolu, which has been one of the residental districts of societies since theprehistoric times, has been one of the attractive regions in all periods of the history.The history of Bolu and its region which begins with Bitinian and called Bitiniumdue to this has been based on until the period of Hittite and Phrygia according to thehistorical findings. Bolu has been dominated by Lidya, Persians, Great skender(Alexander) and Romans in the course of time and it has been commemorated asClaudiopolis -referring to Emperor Cladius- with Romans.With the beginning of the settlement of Turks to Anatolia, Bolu and itsenvironment has been the settling place of Turk and Oğuz clans. Bolu which was?uç? in the first periods of Selçuklu and Ottomans has completely kept in Turkishlands with the conquest movements of Ottomans to the west.Bolu has been a flag connected to Kastamonu in the period we haveexamined (1868-1869) and its management has been given to governors ofprovinces.Bolu, which has been administrated by Flag Rulers , Governors of Provincesand Voivodes with the administrative changes made in the Ottoman period, has beenone of the places where reforms have been practised firstly due to its proximity to thecapital of the Empire.After Imperial Reform Edict (Islahat Fermanı) dated 1856, the non-Muslimscommunities in the Ottoman Period was granted new rights greatly. Also theapplication of the Reform accelerated in the all Empire. According to judical records(Şeriyye sicilleri) numbered 937, we can observe the application of the Reform inBolu habited by the non-Muslims communities. In addition to we can examine theadministrative reforms in Bolu after the declaration of the Ottoman ProvinceRegulation (Vilayet Nizamnamesi) dated 1864 and following years.We witness that life of the society, usage and custom and traditions haveremained alive during the history. Bolu is a typical Anatolian city where two types oflife styles as rural and urban are remarkable. While main means of existence in thevillages depends on forest, agriculture and animal husbandry, it depends oncommerce, craft and hand work in the city.Bolu forests have been lumberyard not only in the Ottoman period but alsoRoman. They were one of the significant centres which provided lumber need ofShipyard, especially in the Ottoman period. Moreover, milk products obtained fromthe animals have protected their fame in every period.Key Words: Bolu, Ottoman History, Reformation Period, Judica Records.