Anadolu Mecmuası

Abstract

The Ottoman Empire, which has been in decline for many years and has been dealing with a number of problems, was in a difficult situation at the beginning of the 19th century. The stalemate to which he was subjected in military, economic and social terms had pushed the state to take drastic steps in these areas. As a requirement of this, it was decided to conduct “nationwide censuses” in order to get acquainted with the male population living their lives in the country and the characteristics of this population. The first one was executed in 1831 due to the censuses; the state has collected a lot of information such as the male population in the country, the average age of the population, physical characteristics and has obtained the opportunity to determine the steps it will take in the future. The population books that are kept about the population and function during the period; today, they continue to contain data that are important enough to be the subject of local history studies.

This study deals with Balyanbolu, which is currently connected to Izmir and bears the name “Beydağ”, and the demographic structure of Balyanbolu in the first half of the 19th century. The main source of the work is 1836 (H.1251), which was prepared on the date and is currently in the State Archives of the Republic of Türkiye, “BOA.NFS.d.2989” It is an Ottoman population book registered with the classification number. In this study, which proceeds in the light of the aforementioned population book and passes the information obtained through the filter of interpretation, the name, nickname, title information of the male population residing in Balyanbolu; the average age of the male population; occupational information; many issues such as men’s beard, mustache, height characteristics and disability status have been included.