Research Topic: Social and Economic Reality of Algeria During the Ottoman Era

Team Leader's Name: Leila Kheirani 

General Objectives

The objectives of the research team can be confined to the following areas:

The study aims to highlight the social and economic aspects of Algiers’ society during the Ottoman period, along with its cultural heritage. This period represents an important legacy and showcases Algerians’ lives in an era that captured the attention of travelers, consuls, and European captives, who often gave varied descriptions of it. However, the reality for Algerians differed significantly from these accounts. To avoid biased descriptions, we relied on original sources and documents left by the Ottoman administration, which carefully recorded extensive details. Thousands of these documents are preserved in national and Ottoman archives, providing us with a closer look at the historical truths we seek. Key documents include records from the Sharia court, treasury accounts, and records from the Baylik.

Through a statistical inventory of these documents, we can organize and categorize the topics we aim to cover. Contracts related to marriage, divorce, alimony, and reconciliation, for instance, reveal the operations of the judicial system and the Sharia judge's role in handling such cases. They also reflect how closely judges adhered to Islamic law. Additionally, these records help us understand names, family relations, and marriage connections that were common in Algiers at the time. Sales contracts, endowments, and rental agreements provide a view of property ownership, the extent of personal belongings, and give us insights into wealth levels, social groups, crafts, furniture, utensils, and clothing styles. This brief overview offers just a glimpse into the understanding that our study of these documents will provide.

Scientific Foundations

Exploring the social, cultural, and economic facets of Algerian society during the Ottoman era involves examining Ottoman Algerian documents to develop a genuine understanding of this history. Rather than focusing on politics or military events, this approach highlights the daily lives of individuals, their routines, and the realities they experienced.

Team members