This thesis analyzes Bulgaria&amp / #8217 / s minority policy followed by various governments during the Principality, the Kingdom, Peoples Republic and post-Communist Bulgaria. General discussion and assessment of minority rights standards within major international organizations is followed by analysis of minorities&amp / #8217 / status and treatment in Bulgaria since 1878. The thesis seeks answers to what have been the main features of minority policies in modern Bulgarian history, what has constituted its continuity and change.

This thesis analyzes the life and power politics of Pazvandoglu Osman, Ayan of Vidin, in the 18th century with references to the changes in the Ottoman provincial administration experienced between the 17th and 18th centuries. Osman&rsquo / s relations with the Ottoman central government and the policy that the latter followed towards him will also be given to show the Ottoman methods of coping with the oppositional groups in the provinces in the case of Pazvandoglu Osman in the 18th and 19th centuries. Moreover his relations with the people of Vidin as well as with the neighboring ayans will be displayed to examine how an ayan ruled and represented people and also how important an ayan was in the development of a city. In addition a description of the Ottoman Balkans in general and Vidin in particular will also be analyzed from the point of view of their contributions to the rise of Pazvandoglu Osman within the context of cause and effect relations.

This thesis deals with Bulgaria under the Ottoman rule in the second and third quarters of the 19th century. The sources used in this study are the works of 18 French travelers who have explored this region in that period. In this work the data collected by the French travelers, their impressions on the people and the region are evaluated. The thesis analyses Bulgaria under the last days of the Ottoman rule and assesses the outlook of Bulgaria regarding its demographic situation, the characteristics of its peoples, religous communities, and with the developments in agriculture, industry and trade through the French traveler&#039 / s outlook.