Trying to Impose the Reforms in the Periphery: Actions and Reactions to the Tanzimat in Cyprus – The Case of the Muhassıl Mehmet Talat–

As in other areas of the Ottoman Empire where local elite classes had gradually developed, from the mid-18th century onwards, particular elite that included individuals from both religious communities had developed in Cyprus as well. Muslim officers of the local administration as well as wealthy Orthodox, both laymen and clergy, constituted the ruling class of Ottoman Cyprus before the reforms. As will emerge through analysis of the period of muhassıl Mehmet Talat (1840-1841), the role of the local elite is particularly decisive, both in relation to efforts to implement changes as well as steps taken backwards. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the predominant climate in Cyprus, an island on the Ottoman periphery, during the first stages of the Tanzimat reforms immediately after the proclamation of firman (Hatt-i Şerif) as well as, to record reactions to the reforms and the groups from which these reactions originated. Highlighting the details of this climate might clarify the difficulties that the Sublime Porte faced in its effort to directly implements reformative measures. It will also help to demonstrate the Sublime Porte’s will to achieve this through directions contained in the documents sent to the island and also to show the setbacks which occurred during this effort. Additionally, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the first attempt for reforms on the island led to an intense unrest and to a climate of tension between the religious communities.