Social and Professional Networks of Beratli Merchants

The place and role of merchants in the Ottoman economic system is a topic of interest in modern Ottoman studies. A certain group of traders – beratli traders, receive a special position, which provides them with a higher social and economic status than others. This category carries out its commercial activity under the regulation of a special certificate (berat), which shows that they perform activity delegated by the state. The category of beratli merchants developed especially in the 19th century and their economic activity was directly related to the important political and economic changes in the Empire. The abolition of monopolies on the grain trade, the opening of Danube shipping in the 1840s, the change in the structure of imperial markets and the full integration of the Ottoman Empire into the world economic system imposed new rules and required a new type of player. The aim of the study is to analyze beratli merchants using the methods of two modern social and economic theories – that of entrepreneurship and social networks. We will analyze which of the characteristics of entrepreneurs have beratli merchants and how they apply them. Two specific examples have been selected which, thanks to the well-preserved documentation, allow the best methodological outlines of professional and social networks of beratli merchants. Beratli traders were one of the most important elements of the economic structure of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th c. As a result, they hold important positions not only in the provincial administration, but also at central level. Beratlis maintains very good contacts with other traders, not emphasizing competition, but cooperation and partnership. Beratlis may have high-level contacts, but they do not neglect small players. They build a dense network of representatives, suppliers, partners and customers. If we look at the overall image of beratli merchants, we will find the many roles they play in society. They were great benefactors of the community – donate money to schools, churches, hospitals, and etc. beratli merchants fully correspond to today’s image of entrepreneurs: active, flexible, quick to respond to changing conditions, seeking up-to-date information, taking financial risks, developing several different activities in parallel, but also socially active.