CONTRIBUTION OF TAHRIR DEFTERLEIRI TO ALEVI - BEKTASHI RESEARCHES: THE CASE OF IRENE BELDICEANU - STEINHERR

This article focuses on settlements of the nomads after foundation of Ottoman State and registration of these settlements in Tahrir Defterleri. Registrations in Tahrir Defterleri which were arranged mainly for the purpose of taxation have vital importance in following traces of Alevi - Bektashi nomads. This article deals with social structure, organization and activities of Alevi - Bektashi groups by means of the opportunities supplied by Tahrir Defterleri. Although we can find information about social structure and organization of Alevi - Bektashi groups in both their traditional sources and some other official records, these sources contain a series of contradictions. Hence, the article of Irene Beldiceanu - Steinherr, aiming to disclose characteristics of Alevi - Bektashi groups by means of Tahrir Defterleri will be discussed within this study. It is also argued in this article that social and organizational characteristics of Alevi - Bektashi groups should be reconsidered under the light of Tahrir Defterleri.