Turkish Documents on the History of the Macedonian People: Detailed Census Defter No. 4 (1467-1468)

Turkish Documents on the History of the Macedonian People (Турски документи за историјата на македонскиот народ: Опширен пописен дефтер Nо 4 : (1467-1468 година) is a significant historical work published in 1971 by the State Archives of Macedonia. It is a scholarly edition of a detailed Ottoman census register, known as a defter, from the years 1467-1468. This particular volume focuses on an extensive portion of Macedonian territory and was edited by prominent historians Metodija Sokoloski and Aleksandar Stojanovski. The book's title page, presented in both Macedonian and French, confirms its purpose as a translation and analysis of primary source materials.

The core of this book is the census defter itself, which provides invaluable insights into the social and economic conditions of the region shortly after its conquest by the Ottoman Empire. The defter was a type of official record used by Ottoman authorities to document population figures, land ownership, and tax obligations. By translating and publishing this document, the authors made a crucial primary source accessible to a wider audience, allowing historians to study the demographics and administrative structure of Macedonia in the late 15th century.

In essence, the book serves as a foundational resource for the study of Macedonian history under Ottoman rule. It moves beyond secondary accounts to present direct evidence from the period, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of the population, the types of land holdings, and the tax system in place. Its publication was a key effort by the State Archives of Macedonia to preserve and promote the study of historical records related to the region.