Project

Ottoman Waqfs in the Balkans: Colonization, Power, and Belonging (1450-1650)

Code
BOF/STA/202309/034
Duration
01 September 2024 → 31 August 2028
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Humanities and the arts
    • Early modern history
    • European history
    • Political history
    • Socio-economic history
Keywords
Balkans colonization waqf Ottoman Empire
 
Project description

This research project delves into the impact of Ottoman waqfs in the Balkans between 1450 and 1650, specifically focusing on colonization, power dynamics, and community relations. Through an interdisciplinary approach and the analysis of an extensive range of primary and secondary sources, the study investigates the effectiveness of pious endowments in the processes of Islamization and Turkification in the frontier regions. It also examines the adaptability of Imperial waqf agencies, particularly during times of crisis, and the power dynamics among various religious communities thriving around the ordinary waqfs. The doctoral project aims to conduct a detailed examination of the diverse roles played by Ottoman waqfs in mediating relationships between the state and its subjects while enhancing comprehension of the complex historical contexts in the Balkans. This study provides novel insights into the regional dynamics and broader empire-wide implications of the Ottoman waqf system, revealing how waqfs influenced communal identities, facilitated imperial control, and shaped charitable practices.