Ottoman and Allied Prisoners of War in Russia during the Crimean War (1853-1856)
İbrahim Köremezli̇
Keywords: Crimean War, Ottoman army, XIX. century, Russian Empire, Prisoners of War
Abstract
Thousands of Ottoman soldiers had to live in the Russian interior as prisoners of war during thc Crimean War. Thcir difficult journey into Russia and their accommodation in several Russian cities are unknown aspects of thc Russo-Ottoman wars. Experiences of those captives canalso give clues to understandRussian and Ottoman societics in thc middle of the nineteenth century. This work, thercfore, discusses not only the legal and material aspects of captivity, but also its social outcomes. Besides, exchange of prisoners, their return to homeland as well as motives of those prisoners who wanted to stay in Russia are touched upon in order to give a complete picture of captivity.