Abstract:

The aim of this study is to explain the situation and development of the educational institutions of foreign missionaries operating in the Marash Sanjak at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century, by using Ottoman archive documents and yearbooks. Within the framework of this subject, the situation of foreign schools established in Marash Sanjak was determined in the light of new sources and analyzes were made. At the end of the 19th century, communities belonging to different religions lived together in the Marash Sanjak. A significant part of the non-Muslim population in the sanjak lived in the district center of Marash. Non-Muslims constituted approximately 20% of the population of Maraş city. The most crowded group among non-Muslim communities was Armenian communities. Foreign and minority schools were generally established in areas with dense Armenian population For this reason, most of those who received education from these schools were Armenian children. By the beginning of the 20th century, many schools of varying degrees were opened in the Marash Sanjak under the auspices of France, America, the United Kingdom and Germany. These schools were largely under the control of Armenian communities. The schools established by foreigners in Marash Sanjak were less in number than the schools established by non-Muslim minorities. Foreign schools and orphanages were established in the city center of Marash and in the sub-districts and villages of the center. Vocational training was given in orphanages opened by missionaries. Foreign schools were financed by foreign states and missionary organizations. The schools operated without obtaining a license from the state could not be inspected for a long time.

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