Includes bibliographical references and index.

List of Figures -- Introduction -- 1 Early Nineteenth-Century Damascus -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Geography -- 3 Religions, Ethnicities and Cultures -- 4 Politics -- 5 Military Forces -- 6 The City Quarters -- 7 Agriculture, Industry and Trade -- 8 Administration -- 9 Conclusion -- 2 The Impact of the Reform Schemes on Damascus -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Pre-Tanzimat Period, 1832-1839 -- 3 The Tanzimat Period, 1839-1876 -- 4 Local Attitudes -- 5 Conclusion -- 3 The Impact of the Foreign Powers' Intervention on Damascus during the Reform Period -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Level of Intervention -- 3 The Impact on Local Society -- 4 Conclusion -- 4 The 1860 Riot in Damascus -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Prelude to the Riot -- 3 The Riot -- 4 The Circulation of Rumours -- 5 Local Perceptions of the Riot -- 6 Conclusion -- 5 The Ottoman Governor-General of Damascus, Ahmad Pasha, and the 1860 Riot -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Role of Ahmad Pasha and the Regular Troops -- 3 Conclusion -- 6 The Notables of Damascus and the 1860 Riot -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Role of the al-Aghawat and the Irregular Troops -- 3 The Role of the Notables -- 4 The Role of ʿAbd al-Qadir al-Jaza‌ʾiri -- 5 Conclusion -- 7 The Aftermath of the 1860 Riot in Damascus -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Foreign Responses -- 3 The Arrival of Fuʾad Pasha -- 4 Conclusion -- 8 The British-Ottoman Relations after the 1860 Riot in Damascus -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The British-Ottoman Relations after the Riot -- 3 The British Diplomats' Perceptions of the Riot -- 4 Conclusion -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1: The Hatti Şerif of Gülhane -- Appendix 2: Sultan ʿAbdülmecid's Hatti Hümayun Reaffirming the Privileges and Immunities of the Non-Muslim Communities -- Appendix 3: The Treaty of Peace (Paris) Terminating the Crimean War, with Pertinent Annexed Conventions -- Appendix 4: Convention on Measures for Pacifying Syria (and Lebanon): Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire -- Appendix 5: Letters -- Glossary -- Bibliography -- Index.

On 9 July 1860 CE, an outbreak of violence in the inner-city Christian quarter of Damascus created shock waves locally and internationally. This book provides a step-by-step presentation and reproduction of the facts to assess the true role of all the players and shapers of events. It critically examines the internal and external politico-socio-economic factors involved and argues that economic interests rather than religious fanaticism were the main causes for the riot of 1860. Furthermore, it argues that the riot was not a sudden eruption but rather a planned and organised affair.

English, Arabic.

Description based on print version record.