KUŠLAT U PRIVREDNOM ŽIVOTU SREDNJEG PODRINJA TOKOM XIV I XV STOLJEĆA
KUŠLAT IN THE ECONOMIC LIFE OF CENTRAL PODRINJE DURING THE 14TH AND 15TH CENTURIES

Summary/Abstract: The medieval town of Kušlat, nestled in the heart of Central Podrinje at the confluence of the Jadar and Drinjača rivers, has long drawn the attention of travelers and chroniclers with its distinctive physiognomy. It has been the subject of research—primarily in terms of topography and architectural analysis–yet its broader historical significance remains insufficiently explored. Although it appears in historical sources even before Srebrenica and Zvornik as a destination frequented by Ragusan (Dubrovnik) merchants, Kušlat has remained in the historiographical shadow of these better-known urban centers. This study examines the role of medieval Kušlat within the commercial sphere of the Republic of Ragusa, with particular emphasis on the activity within its suburbium and the economic landscape following the establishment of Ottoman rule. By comparing sources of both Ragusan and Ottoman provenance, this paper seeks to determine whether Kušlat was merely a waystation for Ragusan merchants or a significant trade hub with a notable Ragusan colonial presence. The research draws upon published sources of Ragusan provenance as well as Ottoman cadastral registers (defters) from the 15th and the first half of the 16th century, which are invaluable for understanding both the demographic and economic structure of medieval Bosnia. The aim is to offer an alternative, interdisciplinary perspective on the economic development of a medieval settlement in the context of late feudalism.

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