Research Information System
Islam Tetkikleri Dergisi, vol.13, no.1, pp.175-201, 2023 (Scopus)
The aim of this article is to introduce Najm al-Dīn al-Ghazzī's (d. 1061/1651) Istanbul travelogue, which until recently was considered to be lost, as a new primary source for the examination of early modern Ottoman history. As an eminent Shāfi'ī professor-mufti in Damascus, Najm al-Dīn traveled to Istanbul in 1623 with the intention of petitioning the Imperial Council to regain his teaching position that he had lost to a rival local scholar. His journey took him four and a half months, during which time he penned an account in the form of a travelogue, adhering to the literary conventions established by previous Arab travelers. This article examines the content of the autograph copy of the travelogue highlighting Najm al-Dīn's views on cities, architectural structures, individuals, and significant socio-political events in Damascus, Istanbul, and other Anatolian towns on his way. It also scrutinizes Najm al-Dīn's narrative strategies throughout the travelogue, including his use of language and poetic composition as well as inclusion of dream and fortune-telling anecdotes. This article also considers the relationship between Najm al-Dīn's work and previous Arabic travelogues to highlight continuities and divergences, as well as new information provided. Najm al-Dīn's travelogue offers a vivid description of Anatolian towns in the early seventeenth century. It also provides insight into the multi-faceted imperial factionalism in Istanbul in the post-Osman II (d. 1031/1622) period. Furthermore, the narrative elements within the travelogue shed light on the mindset and vision of an early modern provincial Shāfi'ī professor-mufti in the Ottoman center.