XiIXth century commercial life in Bursa non-muslims

Bursa is a city that has grown since its foundation. After the Ottoman conquest in 1326, it became one of the empire's important social and economic centers. As it became the capital city of the Ottomans, various communities of different religions lived in peace and security and contributed favorably in making Bursa an important trade and economic hub. Studying in further detail the composition of these communities and the population of Bursa will allow us to have a better understanding of the economic life of the city. In the 19th century, the city had important Armenian, Greek, Jewish and Coptic communities. Therefore, our thesis is primarily addressing the case of these minority populations in Bursa. Additionally, our paper gives focus in the city's first silk factory, which has significantly contributed to Bursa's trade and eventual growth of its silk industry. The main purpose of this paper is to understand the important activity and contribution of minorities in the economic activity and trade of Bursa. This entails answering specific questions such as, in which sectors these minorities were active, what kind of professions they had, what were they economic gains and in exactly which neighborhoods they were present. Following this study, it becomes possible to carry a quantitative analysis highlighting Bursa's minorities economic share per sector in the 19th century. Keyword: Ottoman Empire, Bursa, Commerce, XIXth century, Non-Muslim