New book illuminates Ottoman history

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Mayor Kadir Topbaş presents the book that reveals registration of ancient history at press conference . DHA photo

A 40-volume book project focusing on Muslim judges’ registration and verdicts during Ottoman times, part of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture initiative, was unveiled at a press conference yesterday. The book is a significant source of information on the political, social and cultural life of Istanbul under the Ottoman state.

Istanbul mayor Kadir Topbaş said at the press conference that the conquest of Istanbul ushered in a new era, opening the world to Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s innovative management approaches that effected global judgment.

The book includes the registrations of 15th and 16th-century districts, such as Suriçi, Üsküdar, Galata and Eyüp. “Thanks to the registrations we can now learn of the historical developments in those four districts and analyze them. Once all the registrations have been analyzed there will be a wealth of information that will not fit in just one library,” Topbaş said, adding that these books would also answer questions concerning how judges and courts approached the solving of civil problems and events in the past.

According to Topbaş, there were not very many court incidents recorded at the time: “This tells us the incidents were held [and resolved] between families, neighbors … The book also informs us of how trade, management and relations affected society in the past and also reveals the city’s cultural and collective memory.”

These books will enlighten society and be an important primary source for scientists and researchers from abroad who come to explore Ottoman history more in depth, Topbaş added.