Ottoman 1905 Land Deed Field and Vineyard in İzmir Title Muslim and Greek Citizens

Ottoman Field and Vineyard Title Deed from İzmir – Bayındır, Çıplak Village (1905)

Description:

This Ottoman Turkish title deed records an agricultural property located in Çıplak Village, within Bayındır district of İzmir. The document is dated 5 Teşrin-i Evvel 1321 (Rumi), corresponding to 18 October 1905 (Gregorian), and reflects both inheritance and land-use transformation within a single property.

The land, totaling 11 dönüms, originally belonged to Oduncu Ali. Following his death, ownership passed to his daughter Emir Ayşe, who formally applied to register the property under her name. The document provides a particularly valuable detail regarding land use: seven dönüms of the property had been converted into a vineyard six years prior, with vine stocks planted and actively cultivated for production, while the remaining four dönüms continued to be used as arable field land.

Based on this established usage, Emir Ayşe requested that the title deed reflect the actual condition of the land, registering 7 dönüms as vineyard and 4 dönüms as field. This request was reviewed and officially approved, demonstrating the Ottoman administration’s recognition of agricultural development and its integration into formal land records.

The boundaries (hudud) of both the field and vineyard are described in detail in the document. Notably, the presence of non-Muslim names such as Simon and Niko among neighboring property holders provides clear evidence of the mixed population structure of the region. It reflects a rural setting in which Muslim and non-Muslim communities lived and cultivated land side by side.

The document bears revenue stamps and official seals, confirming its authenticity and administrative validity. Beyond its legal function, it offers a layered insight into inheritance practices, agricultural adaptation, and the multicultural social fabric of western Anatolia in the early 20th century.

For collectors, this is a particularly engaging piece. It combines inheritance, land conversion, and social context within a single document, making it highly relevant for those interested in İzmir regional history, Ottoman rural economy, and inter-communal coexistence.

Key Features:

• Type: Ottoman field and vineyard title deed

• Date: 5 Teşrin-i Evvel 1321 (Rumi) / 18 October 1905

• Location: İzmir, Bayındır, Çıplak Village

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Property Type: Agricultural land (field and vineyard)

• Total Size: 11 dönüms

• Land Use Breakdown: 7 dönüms vineyard; 4 dönüms field

• Original Owner: Oduncu Ali

• New Owner: Emir Ayşe (daughter, through inheritance)

• Transfer Reason: Inheritance and reclassification based on actual land use

• Boundaries (Hudud): Detailed; includes neighboring non-Muslim landholders such as Simon and Niko

• Community Context: Coexistence of Muslim and non-Muslim populations in rural İzmir region

• Physical Features: Revenue stamps and official seals present

• Collectible Significance: Valuable for collectors of Ottoman rural life, land use history, and İzmir regional studies