The Change of Non-Muslim Population of Ankara from 19th to 20th Century

Abstract

Population is a strategic element that affects every aspect of life (production, consumption, transportation, education, infrastructure, industrialization, development, economy, politics, culture, etc.). This element has led states to learn how much population they have since the ancient times. The demand to learn the population number was closely related to state planning, that is, achieving political, military, social and economic goals. The lands lost in the last periods of the Ottoman Empire caused a great change in the ethnic and religious structure of the empire. While there was a massive influx of Muslims from the lost lands, the non-Muslim population also emigrated. As a result of great wars, the empire collapsed, and a new nation-state was built. One of the first historical events witnessed by the newly established republic was a population exchange. While the identity construction of the nation-state continues, different historical events have also affected the non-Muslim population. In this study, the change in the non-Muslim population in Ankara in the aforementioned period is discussed. As of 1831, the quantitative change, changing age and sex structure in the non-Muslim population of Ankara will be analysed through censuses conducted and baptism records that belong to non-Muslim population in Ankara and its relationship with historical events will be examined.