افاق للعلوم
Volume 9, Numéro 4, Pages 549-563
2024-09-29

The Ottoman Influence On Tunisian Military Reforms During The Reign Of Ahmed Bey 1837-1855

Authors : Djeddaoui Yamina . Boukrou Nasser .

Abstract

Ahmed Bey implemented various reforms in Tunisia from 1837 to 1855, including military reforms. He constructed barracks, towers, and fortresses, and renovated many of them. He also doubled the army's size, purchased weapons, and established factories for weapon manufacturing. However, he faced a lack of frameworks and thus founded the Bardo Military School, employing European teachers, particularly the French. However, research and study reveal that this school utilized Ottoman books, whether for military terminology, laws, or teaching materials—all were translated from Ottoman Turkish. This is corroborated by archival documents. The translations from Ottoman Turkish to Arabic were necessitated by the fact that many Tunisians were proficient in Ottoman Turkish but not in French during the 1840s. This was because the Ottoman state had pioneered military reforms and the establishment of a regular army, even though it also utilized French laws.

Keywords

 Reforms; ;  Military ; ;  Ottoman ; ;  State; ;  Tunisia.