Demographic and Professional Structure of Razgrad and Popovo in the 1840s (Preliminary Notes)

The report presents preliminary remarks on demographic and professional structure of Razgrad and Popovo towns in the middle of the 19th century. It is based on unpublished Ottoman documents – temettuat defters. Those documents provide valuable information for the demographic picture, social, ethnic and religious characteristics of the settlements in the Ottoman Empire. It introduces new unpublished data on the population of the two cities and their social and economic status. This study focuses on Popovo and Razgrad’s urban development and presents information about their households, their incomes and taxes. The demographic structure of the two cities, the peculiarities of their territorial organization, professional structure and some details of the economic development of the communities in Razgrad and Popovo are also commented. The research presents general information about the economic outlook of these towns, it is focused on the professional profile of their population, the leading industries, and specific occupations. Thus, in the period 1845-1846 Razgrad appears as a center of Muslim and non-Muslim communities, having a population of app. 6000-7000 people. The professional structure of Razgrad is dominated by the agricultural sector. Trade, textiles and logging are also widely held sectors of the town's economy. The other settlement, Popovo is a village with a population of nearly 300 people and a dominant agricultural appearance.