Scholarship on Ottoman Gypsies/Roma: A Historiographical Review

Akin, Burak (2025) Scholarship on Ottoman Gypsies/Roma: A Historiographical Review. Kelet-Közép-Európai Történelmi Tanulmányok, 3 (1). pp. 23-34. ISSN 30040981

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Abstract

The Ottoman Empire, governing a diverse multi-ethnic realm for over six centuries, left a substantial archival legacy that enables a deeper, more nuanced exploration of Roma history beyond externally produced accounts. This study conducts a historiographical review of Turkish-language scholarship on Ottoman Roma, emphasising the diverse archival sources—such as tax registers, court records, and kanunnames—and methodological approaches employed by researchers. It highlights how earlier works offered general overviews, whereas later studies like Altınöz’s 2013 monograph integrate systematic primary-source analysis, particularly of Ottoman defter entries. By mapping the trajectory from marginal mentions to in-depth archival monographs and doctoral dissertations, the review illustrates both scholarly progress and persistent gaps in coverage, especially regarding chronological cohesion and Roma self-representation. The findings underline the transformative potential of Ottoman archival research in revealing the social, economic, and legal dimensions of Roma life under imperial governance. Ultimately, the study advocates for further comparative and interdisciplinary investigations that foreground marginalised voices and critically engage with source limitations.

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