Research Article

OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Volume: 14 Number: 2 December 16, 2025
  • Elma Koric *
EN TR

OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

In accordance with the idea of the integration of the Ottoman Empire into the political and economic trends in Western Europe, during the time of Sultan Abdulaziz (reigned 1861-1876), an extensive program of economic and political reforms was implemented. Along with the modernization of the administration and the transformation of social relations in the Ottoman Empire, the project also aimed to initiate the construction of infrastructure for communications and transporation, which is why Ottoman investments in railway construction expanded significantly in the second half of the 19th century. As part of the project to connect İstanbul with Vienna, the construction of the first railway from Dobrljin to Banja Luka was completed on the territory of the Bosnian Vilayet in 1872, which, according to the original plans, was supposed to be part of that railway line. This issue has already been addressed in historiography; however, attention here is directed to several Ottoman maps from the second half of the 19th century, which also show other road routes and railways in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It can be assumed that their purpose was primarily informative, while some of them visualized the progress on the construction of the İstanbul-Vienna railway, which was supposed to pass through Bosnia. In addition, some Ottoman maps also depict railways constructed later, during the Austro-Hungarian period. This possibly indicates that Ottoman interest in monitoring the development of infrastructure in the region remained strong at that time.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Historical Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Elma Koric * This is me
0000-0001-8340-127X
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Publication Date

December 16, 2025

Submission Date

February 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 2

APA
Koric, E. (2025). OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi, 14(2), 437-459. https://doi.org/10.30903/baed.1839806
AMA
1.Koric E. OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2025;14(2):437-459. doi:10.30903/baed.1839806
Chicago
Koric, Elma. 2025. “OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA”. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi 14 (2): 437-59. https://doi.org/10.30903/baed.1839806.
EndNote
Koric E (December 1, 2025) OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi 14 2 437–459.
IEEE
[1]E. Koric, “OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA”, Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 437–459, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.30903/baed.1839806.
ISNAD
Koric, Elma. “OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA”. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi 14/2 (December 1, 2025): 437-459. https://doi.org/10.30903/baed.1839806.
JAMA
1.Koric E. OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2025;14:437–459.
MLA
Koric, Elma. “OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA”. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 437-59, doi:10.30903/baed.1839806.
Vancouver
1.Elma Koric. OTTOMAN MAPS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF RAILWAYS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;14(2):437-59. doi:10.30903/baed.1839806

 

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