Historical Studies Program, Dean of the College, and Middle Eastern Studies Program Present
Legalizing Commerce: Merchants and Legal Reform in Ottoman Egypt, 1841-1876
Candidate for Middle Eastern History
Omar Cheta
New York University
The nineteenth-century was a period of far-reaching legal reforms in the Ottoman Empire. In this talk, I will explore the intersection of these reforms with the economy. Specifically, I will trace how “commerce” was redefined both as a concept and a practice in light of a novel legal infrastructure. The geographic focus of the presentation is Egypt, which was the site of momentous legal experiments and a dynamic commercial sphere from 1841 onwards. In constructing my argument, I will rely on contemporary archival records, especially, merchant court documents and private business papers.
For more information, call 845-758-7296, or e-mail [email protected].
Location: Olin 205