THE CIVIL SERVANTS WITH CONSTANZA ORIGIN IN THE OTTOMAN BUREAUCRACY

Abstract

This study addresses the late 19th century during which the Ottoman Empire constantly sought for a change and introduced great innovations in the state organization but suffered huge losses. Apart from a military class, a new civilian class emerged in the administrative structure until the reign of Abdulhamid II, though it was arduous. The employment of almost 50,000 civil servants in government positions led to a radical change in the administrative structure. As a result, a tradition of registration was developed to solve a number of problems such as the determination of civil service positions, the number of vacant positions, the identification of qualifications, and the selection of people with appropriate qualifications. Thus, “Sicill-i Ahval Commission” was established between 1879 and 1909 within the framework of the aims presented above to keep registers of civil servants. These books of record were called “Sicill-i Ahval Registers”. Sicill-i Ahval Registers covered all biographical data of officers starting from their birth to the end of their service. Thus, the registered data of each officer included the place of birth, father, family line, names, schools of graduation, the degree of graduation, foreign languages, rewards or punishments, previous positions and salaries, and promotions. Accordingly, it seems that these registers provide so much information that one can be easily informed of the educational level and human resource of a settlement. When I started to carry out research on Sicill-i Ahval Registers of District Constanta, I found 18 names. Thus, this study aims to reveal many unknown issues including these officers' social statutes, their education levels, the positions they held, and the rewards (medals) and punishments they received. This study will help resolve several issues concerning District Constanta and especially provide a contribution, albeit limited, to the formation of a family tree based on the local history. This study will also provide information about the education level of the district and its representation under the Ottoman Empire.