Adapting to Change:

Financial Institutions Among Bosnian Muslims in the Austro-Hungarian Era (1878-1918)

Abstract

This article examines the establishment of modern financial institutions among Bosnian Muslims during the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1878–1918). It explores how traditional Islamic financial practices were challenged and reshaped under the pressures of modern European administrative and economic systems introduced by the Austro-Hungarian authorities. Key areas of focus include the establishment of new banking institutions and the adaptation of local communities to emerging economic paradigms. By analyzing historical documents, economic policies, and cultural responses, the article sheds light on the intersection of faith, tradition, and modernity during a period of significant socio-economic transition. It argues that Bosnian Muslims navigated these changes through a combination of resistance, negotiation, and innovation, ultimately leaving a lasting imprint on the financial landscape of the country.