OTTOMAN HISTORY
For the three centuries that followed the conquest of the Medieval Kingdom of Cyprus by the Ottoman Turks in 1571, the island developed with a new structure in administration, new systems of taxation, exploitation of land and resources and of economy in general, and new orientations in trade. At the same time Cyprus formed part of a wider entity, together with other countries, which included ethnic groups of diverse cultures, languages, religions and traditions, all of them assembled under the umbrella of the same political power. The main centre which nourished the peripheries in many ways, and was also the focus of fashion in dress, was the capital of the Empire, Istanbul (Constantinople). It was during this period that the people of Cyprus came into closer contact with Oriental dress and other aspects of Ottoman culture.
Cyprus did not develop an industrial economy during this period and most of the population was chiefly engaged in farming. However, under the Ottomans, the island was known as an important centre for commerce, which traded with the major ports of the Mediterranean and exported a portion of its main products: cotton, silk, wool, wheat, barley, wine, olive oil, carobs, madder roots etc., along with goods manufactured by local craftsmen.
During the period of Ottoman rule, Larnaca-Scala was the principal commercial port, which from the 17th century onwards became the seat of the consulates of the European states. In contrast to Larnaca, Nicosia, the indisputable capital of the island, was marked by the strong presence of the Ottomans; throughout the period of Ottoman rule its population comprised about two thirds Muslims and one third Christians. Nicosia was the administrative and religious centre, the seat of the Archbishop and members of the high clergy, of the Dragoman of the Serai, as well as of the Turkish Governor with all his court, the mullah, a high ranking religious representative, the pashas and the aghas, officers of high military ranks, and most Turkish officials in general.
The population presented a differentiated social stratification. Merchants and artisans formed the middle stratum of the social hierarchy, which can be schematically visualized in the shape of a pyramid; the broad base was occupied by the peasantry, which comprised the overwhelming majority of the population, and the poor working class in the town centres. On the top of the social pyramid, the Ottoman ruling class prevailed, a military, political and cultural elite, the standard of which only a limited number of very rich Christians could approach. This scheme is clearly traceable in late 18th to early 19th century documents.
The Dragoman of Cyprus as well as high-ranking members of the clergy, a few notables and wealthy merchants formed the upper class in the local society. In the urban centres there had developed a network of prosperous individuals, money-lenders, landowners, merchants, all persons who exploited different resources and profited from a variety of investments. Some wealthy landowners were also found in small towns and villages. The way of life of these people reflected foreign influences, mainly oriental, in developing the highest possible standard of living. The elite of the Cypriot society was not homogeneous. Among the outstanding merchants figured Greeks, Jews, Armenians and Europeans. About 62% of the trade was in the hands of foreign merchants. The well-to-do sought to differentiate themselves from the ordinary people by adopting a distinctive lifestyle characterized by luxury and glamour.
All this came to the end with the tragic events of 1821. In anticipation of an insurrection movement, ruthless measures were adopted by the Governor of Cyprus Küçük Mehmet. The Archbishop and three bishops, the leading Christians in general, were proscribed and persecuted. The establishment of the independent Kingdom of Greece in 1833, which was the outcome of the War of Independence, strengthened the bonds between the Greeks of Cyprus and the national centre of Hellenism in mainland Greece.
In the following years, under Sultans Mahmud II (1826-1839) and Abdul Mecid I (1839-1861), a series of reforms were introducted in the Ottoman Empire. Consequently, the administration of Cyprus became less harsh during the last phase of Ottoman rule.
Despite these progressive steps, the general picture of Cyprus drawn from the British Consular Reports during the last four decades of Ottoman rule (1842-1878), is that of an undeveloped rural country with primitive agricultural practices, very deficient means of transport, unimportant local industries, lack of infrastructure in general. Progress was gradual but tangible, especially in the urban centres, and could be traced also in the appearance of the people, first of all of the wealthy upper classes. A trend towards Europeanization was already apparent before Cyprus was ceded to Britain in 1878.