Ruler Visibility and Popular Belonging in the Ottoman Empire, 1808-1908

The book explores the impact of periodic ceremonial intrusions into Ottoman Empire lives, creating vertical ties of loyalty and horizontal ties and ethnic group consciousness that led to national movements and monarchies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The book "The Ottoman Royal Birthday and Accession-Day Celebrations: Symbolic Contact and Horizontal Ties" argues that the periodic ceremonial intrusion into the everyday lives of people across the Ottoman Empire, which the annual royal birthday and accession-day celebrations constituted, had multiple, far-reaching, and largely unexplored consequences. On the one hand, it brought ordinary subjects into symbolic contact with the monarch and forged lasting vertical ties of loyalty to him, irrespective of language, location, creed, or class. On the other hand, the rounds of royal celebration played a key role in the creation of new types of horizontal ties and ethnic group consciousness that crystallized into national movements and, after the empire's demise, national monarchies.

The book explores the impact of the annual royal birthday and accession-day celebrations on the Ottoman Empire, which occurred on a regular basis. These celebrations involved the monarch and his subjects engaging in symbolic interactions that forged lasting vertical ties of loyalty. These ties transcended language, location, creed, and class, creating a sense of belonging and allegiance to the monarch.

On the other hand, the rounds of royal celebration played a crucial role in the creation of new types of horizontal ties and ethnic group consciousness. These ties were formed through the shared experiences and interactions during the celebrations, which brought people from different backgrounds together. These horizontal ties were essential in the formation of national movements and, after the empire's demise, national monarchies.

The book highlights the significance of the royal birthday and accession-day celebrations in shaping the Ottoman Empire's social and political landscape. It demonstrates how these events played a role in creating a sense of unity and belonging among the subjects, while also contributing to the formation of national identities and monarchies.

In conclusion, the book "The Ottoman Royal Birthday and Accession-Day Celebrations: Symbolic Contact and Horizontal Ties" provides a valuable insight into the impact of the annual royal birthday and accession-day celebrations on the Ottoman Empire. It highlights the importance of these events in creating vertical and horizontal ties, which played a crucial role in the formation of national movements and national monarchies. The book's analysis of the historical context and the impact of these celebrations on the society and politics of the Ottoman Empire is insightful and thought-provoking.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 156 x 232 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474441421