HORSE BREEDING ACTIVITIES IN ADAPAZARI IN THE LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Abstract

It is appropriate to call Turkish culture "Equestrian Culture". Because the Turks have established many states throughout history and ensured that these states spread over wide geographies. Considering the impact it left on history, the peak of these established states is undoubtedly the Ottoman Empire. The growth and expansion of the Ottoman Empire was, of course, through winning major wars.

One of the most important aids and indispensable elements in winning wars is undoubtedly horses. The Ottoman Empire had a deep-rooted equestrian tradition and a rich horse presence throughout the years of its rule and with the influence of its historical heritage.

This situation began to change negatively in the second half of the 19th century, and there was a decline in both the quality and quantity of horses within the Empire. This situation undoubtedly affected the Ottoman Army the most and caused military weaknesses. In order to eliminate the weakness and meet the horse needs of the army, the administrators of the state resorted to methods such as establishing horse farms in many regions of the Empire, revitalizing the existing ones, and encouraging the public to horse breeding, and created administrative and legal regulations in this direction.

Adapazarı region was one of the centers where activities such as bringing imported horses and breeding local horses were performed in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The main purpose of writing this article is to reveal the horse breeding actıvıtıes that took place in the Adapazarı region in the specified period in the light of sources.