Ottoman rural administration: Kastamonu case (1839-1876)

Under the reign of Turks since the Seljukids, Kastamonu has been one of the important cities where Turkish population increased in time. Conquered by the Ottomans in 1461, it was granted to some princes and high ranked bureaucrats due to its significance. Besides, it began to lose its influence since the 17th century because the city was governed sometimes by arpalık and sometimes by malikâne system. With the changes during the Tanzimat, it was transformed to a province in 1846 and its influence within the Ottoman administration increased once more. Even though it was made a mutasarrıf in 1859, it does not mean that its importance decreases because its borders were broadened after the sanjak of Çankırı was attached to Kastamonu in 1863 which had been comprised of Bolu, Sinop and Viranşehir sanjaks. In 1867, the vilayet law began to be applied in Kastamonu just as in other provinces and it became a city. This status continued until 1876 which is the scope of our dissertation. Based on archives, Takvim-i Vekayi, Salnames, Kastamonu Şer'iyye Sicills (court records) and relevant surveys, the administrative structure of Kastamonu until 1876 is examined in this study within the frame of above definitions. The main goal of our dissertation is presenting how Ottoman rural administration was applied in Kastamonu with property and economic reforms. In this regard, it examines the course of relation between the province and Istanbul and to what extent the Tanzimat reforms could be applied by the central government. Besides, the role and the significance of the inspections, the constructed roads and the drawn telegraph lines within providing the authority are dwelt on.