History of Dodurga
Dodurga is a district of Çorum province, located in the northwest of the province. The origin of the district’s name goes back to the “Töturga” (Dodurga) tribe, one of the 24 Oghuz tribes listed by Kaşgarlı Mahmut in his work Divânü Lugâti’t-Türk. This indicates that the region’s Turkish settlement history has deep roots, associated with the arrival of the Oghuz tribes in Anatolia. Place names bearing the names of the Oghuz tribes are a common feature throughout Çorum and its surroundings.
History
The district was significantly affected by several major earthquakes that occurred in succession during the first half of the 20th century. The earthquakes of 1910, 1935, 1942 and 1943 caused heavy damage to the settlement, and Dodurga was rebuilt several times. This period coincides with a time of seismic activity that affected the entire Çorum region.
Dodurga lost a large part of its male population during the First World War. Although it had been weakened in terms of population during the late Ottoman period, like many other Anatolian villages, it once again became an important settlement center after the early years of the Republic with the discovery of lignite coal in the surrounding area. The district was granted a municipal organization in 1963 and gained district status on 9 May 1990.
Geographical Structure
Dodurga is approximately 42 km from Çorum. Its surface area is 191 km², and its elevation is 510 meters. The district is dominated by a transitional type of climate between the Central Black Sea climate and the continental climate; this points to relatively dry summers and a rainy spring. The annual average precipitation is 373.2 mm. Rainfall begins to decrease starting in July and falls to its lowest level of 11.6 mm in August.
Administrative Structure and Population
According to the 2000 General Population Census, the district’s population is 3,458 in the center and 6,993 in the towns and villages, for a total of 10,451 people. According to TÜİK’s Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) figures for 2025, the district’s total population is 5,036. According to current official figures from the Dodurga District Governorship (Kaymakamlık), the district no longer has a separate town (belde); the district center comprises 6 neighborhoods and the district has 12 villages attached to it (dodurga.gov.tr). The previously cited figure of “one town (Alpagut) and 10 villages” reflects an earlier structure, from before Alpagut was still a separate small municipality and before the legal-entity status of low-population municipalities nationwide was abolished.
Economic and Social Situation
Economic life in the district is limited, and the vast majority of the population makes its living from agriculture. The most widely produced and marketed product is rice (paddy). The agricultural land totals 6,983 hectares; in the dry farming areas, wheat is planted on 3,500 hectares and barley on 400 hectares; in addition, small amounts of sugar beet and onions are grown for commercial purposes.
Animal husbandry is the third source of income after agriculture and mining. The district has 3,241 head of cattle and 2,125 head of small livestock, and thanks to subsidized artificial insemination in cattle, an increase toward crossbreds and cultured breeds is observed.
Dodurga’s most defining economic feature is its lignite deposits. Coal was discovered in 1942 and began to be operated in the same year. The facility, later privatized, is now run by the private sector, with annual production of around 300,000 tons. Mining has played a decisive role in the district’s redevelopment.
Education, Culture and Health
In the district, a total of 1,375 students study across 10 schools: one Multi-Program High School; five Primary Schools (two in the center and three in the villages); and four Multi-Grade Primary Schools. Health services are carried out through one Health Center each in the district center and in the town of Alpagut; in addition, the construction of a 20-bed State Hospital is ongoing.
Faith Tourism and Local Assets
According to the official page of the Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the principal sites visited in Dodurga as part of faith tourism are the Mehmetdede Mosque, the Mehmetdede Tomb (türbe) and the Hüssem Dede Tomb. The same source notes that the district’s distinctive vegetation, its stretches of unworked land, and its proximity to the Obruk Dam give it a significant advantage for the development of eco, agro, rural, hunting and health tourism.
In terms of local cuisine, Dodurga is known for dishes such as keşkek, flour halva (un helvası), tarhana soup, toyga soup, lamb kebab and stuffed vine leaves. The Dodurga quince, cultivated in the district for many years, and the caper plant grown locally are also counted among the area’s well-known products; indeed, an application for a protected designation of origin has been filed with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office for “Dodurga Caper Pickle” (Dodurga Kapari Turşusu), and the registration process is ongoing. Current figures from the Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism and the Dodurga District Governorship agree: the district center comprises 6 neighborhoods and the district has 12 villages attached to it (see the “Administrative Structure and Population” section above for detail).
Related Places
For the history of Çorum’s neighboring districts, see the History of Osmancık, History of İskilip and History of Oğuzlar pages; and as a neighboring settlement reflecting the region’s connection with the Oghuz tribes, see the History of Bayat page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Dodurga?
According to TÜİK ADNKS figures for 2025, the total population of Dodurga district is 5,036.
Which province is Dodurga in?
Dodurga is a district of Çorum province in Turkey.
What is the altitude of Dodurga?
Dodurga lies at an altitude of about 510 metres. Its area is 191 km².
ℹ️ This article has been enriched with additional historical context and editing over the original archive content.