The Narh Prices of Various Comestibles in the First Half of the 19th Century

Abstract

Since the food prices are the essential needs of people, they have usually been a topical issue in every period. Therefore, this issue mobilized the administrators of aforementioned period, and necessitated to take measures on this issue. Perhaps one of the most significant measures were the narh (price fixing) system. In this study, narh prices of various comestibles have been approached according to dated 1241-1826 and numbered 09264 in the book of senior accountant (Başmuhasebe Kalemi Defteri). The purpose of study is to prove the given importance of the stability of food prices by Ottoman administration comparatively and to contribute to the studies that have been conducted or will be conducted. The documents in the Ottoman Archives of Turkish Presidency (COA in Turkish) have been used as a study method and other works have been used as well in terms of integrity of the topic. As a result of the study, it is found that Ottoman Empire prioritized the price stability in the comestibles, especially to the benefit of her people.