Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
25th Symposium of Comité International des Études Pré-Ottomanes et Ottomanes (CIEPO 25), Tirane, Arnavutluk, 21 - 25 Haziran 2024, ss.1
Studies on wealth provide clues not only about the economic aspects of society but also its social and cultural life in the examined period and context. From an economic standpoint, determining the society's level of prosperity, and wealth distribution, and identifying savings preferences through the assets constituting individuals' wealth are notably intriguing. Furthermore, examining wealth about variables such as occupation, religion, and gender provides insights within an economic context and social life. Sources commonly referred to in studies on wealth in the Ottoman Empire are the inheritance records found in the registers of the Qadi Courts. This study will examine women's wealth in the Ottoman Empire using the inheritance records from the Istanbul Court Registers of the 19th century. The aim of this analysis, utilizing data obtained from the records of women's inheritances in Istanbul, is to formulate a framework focusing on wealth-related clues to illuminate the socio-economic situation of Ottoman women in the 19th century. In this regard, the amount of women's wealth and the elements constituting this wealth will be comparatively examined, considering variables such as family profile, wealth level, gender, religion, and occupation. The discussion will focus on whether there is a significant relationship between these variables and the amounts of wealth. In a general sense, an exploration of wealth distribution will involve assessing the standing of women within the categories of the poor, middle-class, and rich. In this classification, an attempt will be made to outline the socio-economic profile of women in the high-wealth group. Finally, the study will address the concept of "mehir," which constitutes a significant portion of the assets in women's inheritances and is considered a social and economic security for women.