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from Part I - Sources and Structures
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2025
This chapter explores the intricate world of Ottoman archives by focusing on the perceptions, challenges, and methodologies encountered by historians when engaging with these vast repositories. It delves into the comprehensiveness of administrative records maintained by the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the immense volume of documents produced and preserved. It underscores the balance between preservation and access, as well as the evolution of archival practices over time. The chapter delineates various approaches historians employ when utilizing archives by discussing different methodologies applied to archival research, including fact-centered narratives, clue-centered microhistory, data-centered quantitative analysis, concept-centered semantics, and code-centered interpretation. Historians’ use of archives is shaped by scholarly tradition, editorial practices, and the broader sociopolitical context. As such, historical engagement with archives necessarily develops within the wider complex relationship between scholarly inquiry and political agendas. By shedding light on the multifaceted nature of Ottoman archives and the diverse ways historians engage with them, this chapter offers insights into the challenges, opportunities, and ongoing debates within the field of Ottoman historical research.
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