Ahmed Yasawi and Yasawism in the Ottoman State Archives: Pilgrimage of Seyyid Ahmed Yasawi's son Sheikh Zengi

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Abstract

This study is about the document in the Ottoman State Archives, which reports that pilgrims from Turkestan visited Istanbul and continued their pilgrimage with this visit. Since the 16th century, Mecca and Medina have been administered by the Ottoman Empire. Due to the domination of the Safavid State and the Russians, Turkestan pilgrims extended their traditional pilgrimage and started to visit Istanbul and the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Sheikh Zengi, one of the sons of Ahmed Yasawi, arrived in Istanbul and informed the Sultan of his arrival. The Sultan ordered the governor of Damascus to take care of Sheikh Zengi after he reported that he was in Istanbul for the pilgrimage. In the document, the journey of Turkestan pilgrims travelling from Bukhara to Istanbul and the presence of Sheikh Zengi, one of the sons of Ahmed Yasawi, among those making this journey are recorded and it is pointed out that he was accompanied by his dervishes. It is clearly stated that precautions should be taken to prevent any harm to them during their journey, their needs should be met and they should be guided throughout their journey. The document indicates that Ahmad Yasawi, his sons and dervishes were known by the statesmen of the Ottoman Empire and that they were supported within the borders of the Ottoman Empire.