Losing Istanbul: Arab-Ottoman Imperialists and the End of Empire

Losing Istanbul provides an intimate history of empire, exploring the rise and fall of Arab-Ottoman imperialists in Istanbul through a microhistorical study of the changing social, political, and cultural currents between 1878 and the First World War. It narrates the lives of these imperialists, focusing on the complex dynamics of ethnicity and race in an increasingly Turco-centric imperial capital. By examining archival records, newspaper articles, travelogues, personal letters, diaries, photos, and interviews, the book shows how the loyalties of these imperialists were questioned and their ethnic identification weaponized, ultimately leading to their forced displacement as the empire came to an end.

Format: Hardback
Length: 326 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Losing Istanbul provides an in-depth exploration of empire, tracing the ascent and decline of a generation of Arab-Ottoman imperialists who resided in Istanbul. Mostafa Minawi delves into a microhistorical examination of the shifting social, political, and cultural currents between 1878 and the First World War, showcasing how these individuals navigated their allegiances and safeguarded their privileges. Through vivid narratives that capture the joys, fears, triumphs, and losses experienced during these turbulent times, Minawi sheds light on the intricate dynamics of ethnicity and race within an increasingly Turco-centric imperial capital.

By utilizing a wealth of archival records, newspaper articles, travelogues, personal letters, diaries, photographs, and interviews, Minawi uncovers how the loyalties of these imperialists were scrutinized and their ethnic identities weaponized. As the once diverse empire neared its end, they were compelled to relinquish their homes in the imperial capital. Losing Istanbul presents an alternative history of the final four decades of the Ottoman Empire, offering a unique perspective by focusing on the experiences of Arab-Ottoman imperial loyalists who called Istanbul their home, as the world of imperial order began to fade away.

Weight: 644g
Dimension: 236 x 158 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503633162