Transformation of Muslim Mystical Thought in the Ottoman Empire
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One of more poorly understood aspects of the history of the Ottoman Empire has been the flourishing of Sufi mysticism under its auspices. This study tracks the evolution of the Halveti order from its modest origins in medieval Azerbaijan to the emergence of its influential Sa'baniyye branch, whose range extended throughout the Empire at the height of its expansion. By carefully reconstructing the lives of formerly obscure figures in the history of the order, a complex picture emerges of the connections of Halveti groups with the Ottoman state and society. Even more importantly, since the Sa'baniyye branch of the order grew out of the towns and villages of the northern Anatolian mountains rather than the major urban centres, this work has the added benefit of bringing a unique perspective to how Ottoman subjects lived, worked, and worshiped outside the major urban centres of the Empire. Along the way, it sheds light on less-visible actors in society, such as women and artisans, and challenges widely-held generalizations about the activities and strategies of Ottoman mystics.
Key Features *Based almost entirely on unpublished manuscripts *Gives invaulable insights to historical primary sources *Allows Ottoman subjects to speak in their own words *The first English-language study of the Halveti order
John Curry is Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has worked extensively in Ottoman archives and libraries in the Turkish Republic for over a decade. He is presently editing a volume of articles about the development of Islamic mysticism from 1200-1800, and also participating in the translation of Katip Celebi's Cihannuma as part of a panel of other noted Ottomanists.