Theft and Banditry in Iraq during the reign of the Ottomans from the lens of the Travelers

Abstract

Travelers’ books are considered one of the most reliable historical sources for recognizing and the descriptions of those cities they passed through.  And also, they are significant references for determining theft and banditry in the last decade of new history. This research is a modest attempt to track impressions of foreign travelers who traveled to Iraqi cities in modern era whether from road routes or river. Registering theft and banditry misbehaviour in the ruling time of Ottoman Empire while they visited Iraqi cities. 

It is worth mentioning, most of the travelers took notes about their commercial caravans who exposed to robbery and looting and even killing by thieves and bandits, whether the caravans were big, medium or small in size.  Furthermore, they noted the associated factors to the phenomenon in regard to the privacy and distinguished one place to another.