The emergence and process of ottoman historical research in the documents of Hungarian researcher Imre Karácson

The re-implementation of the Constitutional Era in the Ottoman Empire on July 24, 1908, eliminated the restrictions of the previous period and paved the way for freedoms in many respects. While political and social changes occurred that would yield significant results in Turkish history, there were also impacts on the cultural sphere. Foremost among these cultural developments were the steps taken toward writing a comprehensive Ottoman History.
Sultan Mehmed V Reşad, who ascended the throne following Sultan Abdülhamid II and possessed a great interest in history, ordered the preparation of a "perfect" book on Ottoman history. Contrary to traditional Ottoman historiography, this work was to be prepared in accordance with modern historiographical examples and based strictly on archival documents. For this purpose, a history committee (Tarih-i Osmanî Encümeni) was established, chaired by the last official chronicler (vakanüvis), Abdurrahman Şeref Efendi. Among the committee’s members—consisting of both permanent and corresponding members—was the Hungarian Imre Karácson. Since 1907, Karácson had been tasked with researching Hungarian historical documents within the Ottoman archives and libraries. In this article, we will trace the founding stages of the Ottoman History Committee and information regarding its activities through Karácson’s personal diary (The diary in which Imre Karácson recorded events from his arrival in Istanbul until his death is held today in the manuscript section of the Széchényi Library in Budapest, under file number 2651 Vol I-II. and the letters he wrote to his superiors (The letters Karácson wrote to his superior, Lajos Thallóczy, are held in the manuscript section of the same library in Budapest, under file number Fond XI/516.)