A MILITARY INSTITUTION IN ISTANBUL IN THE OTTOMAN AGE OF MODERNIZATION: THE FOUNDATION, MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATION OF THE MAÇKA ARMORY

Abstract

The nineteenth century was a period during which the Ottoman Empire carried on its efforts for change, transformation, and innovation in the military field, as in many other fields. Defeats in wars, territorial losses, and heavy war reparations forced the state to make innovations primarily in the army organization and institutions. The regulations and institutions that were established in the 19th century were mostly modeled on Western states. One of the new military institutions established by the state during this period was armories. The Ottoman State established four armories in Istanbul in the last quarter of the nineteenth century for the logistics and equipment of the army. Of these, the Maçka Armory was the first one. In this study, the establishment, management, and operation of the Maçka Armory, which was one of the four military armories of the state in the capital city, were discussed. Tophane-i Amire Müşirliği (Artillery Department), Tophane-i Amire Meclisi (Artillery Council), and War Department, affiliated to the Seraskerat, were initially active in the organization and operation of the central armory of the Ottoman State. Afterward, the Ministry of War and Artillery Office units became active. The armory personnel who were in contact with these units had the titles stated in the regulation prepared for the Asakir-i Mansure-i Muhammediye army. The method of document analysis was used in the study. Accordingly, first, the literature and documents were reviewed. Then, archive documents related to the subject were accessed. The obtained information was processed in chronological order, and the findings were assessed and presented.