Historical Writing among Historians of the Ottoman Era in Algeria during the 17th and 18th Centuries : A Study of Selected Models

This project examines the historical works of Algerian historians during the Ottoman era in Algeria, with the aim of studying their historiographical methods (historical writing). Furthermore, this research seeks to explain and derive issues related to society and social mobility during that period.

The project also aims to deduce the rules governing social systems during the aforementioned era and to understand the perspectives of the intellectual elites (Ottoman-era historians) by studying their works, the majority of which remain in manuscript form to this day. Our approach integrates social and anthropological dimensions into the analysis of these texts.

Among the most significant historical works to be examined are: the Rihla (Travelogue) of Abou Ras al-Nasir al-Muaskari; Awal al-Ta'sis concerning the French; Al-Hulal al-Sundusiya regarding Oran and Andalusia; and Laqtat al-Ajlan (the first volume of which has been edited and is currently in press). The research will also cover the travels of Abi Hamid al-Arabi al-Mashrafi, the writings of Ibn Zarfa al-Dahawi, and several other primary sources.

These works reflect the historical and literary mindset used to address various topics during a period that was particularly critical in terms of its political, economic, and social conditions.

This research field is still nascent and requires further exploration, particularly given the vast volume of manuscripts containing historical data of a social and anthropological nature. These sources enable researchers interested in heritage studies to understand the reality of historical writing during the Ottoman period through the study, critical edition, and publication of these historical chronicles.

Regarding previous literature that addressed this topic from peripheral angles, we highlight the contributions of Dr. Abou El Kacem Saâdallah in his book The Cultural History of Algeria, as well as Abdelkrim El Djazairi, Rabah Bounar, and Abou El Aïd Dodou, all of whom specialized in the study and editing of Algeria's manuscript heritage.