Tunisian commercial activity in Ottoman Egypt

Abstract

During the Ottoman period, Egypt witnessed the settlement of a number of Tunisian families whose principal occupation was trade. Their presence contributed to stimulating various aspects of the country’s economic activity. Egyptian archival documents provide valuable information that makes it possible to trace the nature and scope of the commercial activities undertaken by these families, making such records a primary source for this study. An analysis of the information contained in these documents indicates that merchants belonging to these families played a notable role in the Egyptian market. Their activities extended to both imports and exports, reflecting their active involvement in Egypt’s commercial life during this period.