Abstract:

Thro history, the Trabzon-Erzurum road, which is an exit gate of Eastern Anadolu and Iran, was very important both in commercial and military terms. This road saw small-dimensional repairs in the 18th century due to its military importance. In the first half of the century, when Iran became the main route of transit trade, efforts to improve the conditions of the road began. For this purpose, the work that began with a large project in 1850 remained current until 1858. During the Crimean War, the conditions of the road that emerged from the military empowerment had worsened considerably. This situation has also attracted the attention of the military experts. Hippolyte Mircher, who served in the Eastern Army of France during the Crimean War, was commissioned by General Pélissier to conduct topographic research in Eastern Anatolia after the war ended, and with Captain Saget arrived in Trabzon in May 1856 and studied the Trabzon-Erzurum road and prepared a detailed report by making a map of the road. This report contains interesting information about the state of the road during a period when the repairs are on the agenda. This study aims to evaluate the situation of the Trabzon-Erzurum road in the framework of Mircher's Northern Anadolu Mission and report.

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Abstract:

Throughout history, the Trabzon-Erzurum road, which is an exit gate of Eastern Anatolia and Iran, was very important both commercially and militarily. The road, which underwent minor repairs due to its military importance in the 18th century, became the main route of Iranian transit trade and efforts to improve its conditions began in the first half of the 19th century. For this purpose, a large project started in 1850; however, these works did not continue until 1858. During the Crimean War, the conditions of the road, which had emerged as military importance, worsened considerably. This situation of the road attracted the attention of military experts. Hippolyte Mircher, who served in the Eastern Army of France during the Crimean War, was appointed by General Pélissier to conduct topographic surveys in Eastern Anatolia in 1856. He came to Trabzon in May 1856 with Captain Saget and prepared a detailed map and report on the road. Mircher's report contains interesting information on the road at a time when repairs were on the agenda again. This study aims to assess the situation of the Trabzon-Erzurum road within the framework of Mircher's North Anatolian Mission and report.