Konya-Ereğli Demiryolu Hattı’nın Açılış Merasimi (25 Ekim 1904)

Opening Ceremony of the Konya-Ereğli Railway Line (October 25, 1904)

Abstract

This study examines the opening ceremony of the Konya-Ereğli Line, which is considered the first part of the Baghdad Railway Project and an important step for the continuation of the project. The study also reveals the political and social reflections of the completion of the first part of a large project, how both the public and the ruling class responded to such initiatives, the care shown for the opening, the importance given to both the sultan and his work, and the interest shown in participation. The opening day was determined as October 25, 1904, which coincides with the birthday of Sultan Abdulhamid II. Although the chosen day is considered normal for such celebrations, in this study the opening ceremony is distinguished from other celebrations by the detailed description of the journey from Istanbul to Ereğli. In this context, the opening ceremony in question was being considered, it was not evaluated as an ordinary part of the birthday celebrations celebrated with various organizations throughout the country. What makes this opening special is not only that it was held on the Sultan’s birthday, but also that it was seen as the announcement of a big step in its time. The study was prepared in the light of the data obtained by identifying the relevant records in the archive, scanning some newspapers of the period and with the support of other studies. In the study, the journey starting from Istanbul and continuing until the opening ceremony to be held at Ereğli Station was included step by step.