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Ph.D. Dissertation (In Progress) by Muratcan Zorcu
Master's Thesis by Muratcan Zorcu
The transformation of the Ottoman Empire throughout the nineteenth century certainly grew out of ... more The transformation of the Ottoman Empire throughout the nineteenth century certainly grew out of the earlier discussions of reforms. While initial steps were taken to restructure the Ottoman military, these reforms had far-reaching consequences, manifesting themselves in political and legal realms, also with clear consequences in daily life. The reign of Maḥmūd II and his reformist agenda provide a good opportunity to understand the extent of the transformation of the Ottoman Empire in this period. Traditional historiography has examined this era by emphasizing the Janissaries and the local dynasties, often seen as “obstacles to reform.” However, these internal dynamics had relationships between both themselves and the ruling elite in İstanbul. The relationship between semi-independent Meḥmed ‘Alī Pasha in Cairo and İstanbul is a subject that needs further academic investigation. When Meḥmed ‘Alī Pasha dispatched the first large mission composed of students of different identities in May 1826, the administrative power in İstanbul also sent the four members from the household of Ḫüsrev Pasha on December 14, 1830. These two actions by the those who ruled different parts of the empire show how common interaction between Cairo and İstanbul interacted with one another. When explaining the interaction, this thesis will discuss the lists of students both from İstanbul and Cairo and their identities, departure, and return dates, compiled from the archival documents. Finally, the research will contextualize the Ottoman case within a global moment of sending students abroad as exemplified by Iran and Japan.
Articles in English by Muratcan Zorcu
Global Perspectives on Japan, 2022
This paper draws attention to a collection of the Atatürk Library in Istanbul because this collec... more This paper draws attention to a collection of the Atatürk Library in Istanbul because this collection has significant materials about the Russo Japanese War from 1904 and 1905. Throughout and after the wartime, many of the Ottoman military staff translated military books about the war from different languages, as well as gathered numerous materials like postcards and maps in their own individual collections. It is impossible to highlight that this military staff were not solely from the collapse period of the Ottoman Empire but also were the founding fathers of the new republic in Anatolia and a military group. The Russo-Japanese War shaped the understanding of these figures, such as the top people from Marshall Mustafa Kemal [Atatürk] and General Kazım [Karabekir] to General Fahreddin [Türkkan] Pashas and the ordinary army officers. Pertev Bey [Demirhan], who was sent to this war as an observer by Abdülhamid II, also impacted the Ottoman military staff in the following years because he gave lectures at the Military School in Istanbul. We are able to understand and uncover the dimensions of the impacts of the Russo-Japanese War on the Ottoman military staff with the collection in the Atatürk Library. Accordingly, this collection helps us remember the impacts of the Russo-Japanese War on the mentality of the Ottoman military staff during the late Ottoman period, as well as the early phase of the Turkish Republic.
Articles in Turkish by Muratcan Zorcu
Journal of Turkish Studies/Türklük Bilgisi Araştırmaları, 2021
In the current literature about the Mahmudian regime in the 1830s, the academics regard many refo... more In the current literature about the Mahmudian regime in the 1830s, the academics regard many reformist policies of Mahmud II as an initial stage of the Ottoman/Turkish modernization processes. When considering the article, no 1416 among Turkey’s legal codes in the early Republican period, sending students abroad is one of these uninterrupted projects in Turkey along the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As a result, the Mahmudian regime, like other examples in the Near Eastern geography, started to dispatch young students to receive “contemporary sciences” in the different European capitals and cities. At this point, the present literature claims that a hundred and fifty young Muslim students were dispatched by the decision-makers in Istanbul; however, the Mahmudian regime did not send the overall number of them as a hundred and fifty students in the early 1830s and did not implement this decision, immediately. On the one hand, I argue that there was a decision about the policy of sending students abroad rather than executed policy in this article; on the other hand, the power in Istanbul used this decision as a legal base in the following years.
(Turkish). Copyright of Journal of Turkish Studies is the property of Gonul Tekin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
Journal of Turkish Studies/Türklük Bilgisi Araştırmaları, 2016
In Turkey, when we are following scientific research, it is seen that there has been no cooperati... more In Turkey, when we are following scientific research, it is seen that there has been no cooperation between physical and social sciences. However, topics involved in social sciences should be based on natural sciences because of being scientific.
In this regard, we take "Târîh-i Livâ" as the example that was written by Abdülhaq Molla in 1244-45 (1828-29-30) in this article because we want to draw attention to how historical data are used in climatology and meteorology.
(Turkish). Copyright of Journal of Turkish Studies is the property of Gonul Tekin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
![Research paper thumbnail of Zorcu, Muratcan. "Venedik Balyos Raporlarının Işığında Çoban Mustafa Paşa." Journal of Turkish Studies 42, (2014): 395–410. [According to the Bailo Reports, Coban Mustafa Pasha]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/93833256/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Journal of Turkish Studies/Türklük Bilgisi Araştırmaları, 2014
The Venetian Republic had its diplomatic representatives called "Balyos" during the Ottoman and B... more The Venetian Republic had its diplomatic representatives called "Balyos" during the Ottoman and Byzantine rule. The reports written by them are indispensable sources of information for Ottoman history studies. The translation of these reports into Turkish will shed light on the life, success and political character of Choban Mustafa Pasha, the second vizier during the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent. In other words, this study will focus on Choban Mustapha Pasha who has not been the topic of a detailed study before.
(Turkish). Copyright of Journal of Turkish Studies is the property of Gonul Tekin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
Edited Books in Turkish by Muratcan Zorcu
Cumhuriyet’in Yüzüncü Yılında Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Üzerine Makaleler, 2023
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, TSAF President Mert Can Yılmaz and Y... more In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, TSAF President Mert Can Yılmaz and Yarının Kültürü founder Muratcan Zorcu present an in-depth compilation of articles exploring diverse aspects of Republican history.
In this volume, Hakan Dumlu analyzes the recognition process of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), while Chris Selçuk Erenerol delves into the underexplored relations between the Turkish Orthodox community and leaders of the Turkish War of Independence. Alkan Özdemir discusses how the young Republic welcomed scientists exiled by Nazi Germany, Selin Topkaya focuses on maritime advancements during the Atatürk era, and Serkan Oğul Tuna examines Turkey’s relations with the broader Turkic world. Additionally, Muratcan Zorcu provides insights into Ottoman classical music policies in the early Republic.
With a foreword by the Turkish Ambassador to Stockholm, Mr. Yönet Can Tezel, this work is accessible free of charge. Wishing everyone a celebration of our Republic’s centennial!
Atatürk ve Türk Milleti, 2023
In 1981, M. Tayyib Gökbilgin, a distinguished historian from Istanbul University, requested then-... more In 1981, M. Tayyib Gökbilgin, a distinguished historian from Istanbul University, requested then-President General Kenan Evren to compile his articles and speeches, particularly those delivered on national holidays and Atatürk commemoration days. While Gökbilgin’s request was initially intended to contribute to the centennial celebrations of Atatürk’s birth in 1981, his sudden passing prevented its fulfillment. This compilation, recently prepared by Emir Gürsu and Muratcan Zorcu, gains added significance due to the inclusion of a condolence letter sent to Gökbilgin in 1940 by Hungarian geographer Milleker Rezső, in memory of Atatürk’s death. This letter, like Gökbilgin’s university speeches, is being published here for the first time.
The transformation of the Ottoman Empire throughout the nineteenth century certainly grew out of ... more The transformation of the Ottoman Empire throughout the nineteenth century certainly grew out of the earlier discussions of reforms. While initial steps were taken to restructure the Ottoman military, these reforms had far-reaching consequences, manifesting themselves in political and legal realms, also with clear consequences in daily life. The reign of Maḥmūd II and his reformist agenda provide a good opportunity to understand the extent of the transformation of the Ottoman Empire in this period. Traditional historiography has examined this era by emphasizing the Janissaries and the local dynasties, often seen as “obstacles to reform.” However, these internal dynamics had relationships between both themselves and the ruling elite in İstanbul. The relationship between semi-independent Meḥmed ‘Alī Pasha in Cairo and İstanbul is a subject that needs further academic investigation. When Meḥmed ‘Alī Pasha dispatched the first large mission composed of students of different identities in May 1826, the administrative power in İstanbul also sent the four members from the household of Ḫüsrev Pasha on December 14, 1830. These two actions by the those who ruled different parts of the empire show how common interaction between Cairo and İstanbul interacted with one another. When explaining the interaction, this thesis will discuss the lists of students both from İstanbul and Cairo and their identities, departure, and return dates, compiled from the archival documents. Finally, the research will contextualize the Ottoman case within a global moment of sending students abroad as exemplified by Iran and Japan.
Global Perspectives on Japan, 2022
This paper draws attention to a collection of the Atatürk Library in Istanbul because this collec... more This paper draws attention to a collection of the Atatürk Library in Istanbul because this collection has significant materials about the Russo Japanese War from 1904 and 1905. Throughout and after the wartime, many of the Ottoman military staff translated military books about the war from different languages, as well as gathered numerous materials like postcards and maps in their own individual collections. It is impossible to highlight that this military staff were not solely from the collapse period of the Ottoman Empire but also were the founding fathers of the new republic in Anatolia and a military group. The Russo-Japanese War shaped the understanding of these figures, such as the top people from Marshall Mustafa Kemal [Atatürk] and General Kazım [Karabekir] to General Fahreddin [Türkkan] Pashas and the ordinary army officers. Pertev Bey [Demirhan], who was sent to this war as an observer by Abdülhamid II, also impacted the Ottoman military staff in the following years because he gave lectures at the Military School in Istanbul. We are able to understand and uncover the dimensions of the impacts of the Russo-Japanese War on the Ottoman military staff with the collection in the Atatürk Library. Accordingly, this collection helps us remember the impacts of the Russo-Japanese War on the mentality of the Ottoman military staff during the late Ottoman period, as well as the early phase of the Turkish Republic.
Journal of Turkish Studies/Türklük Bilgisi Araştırmaları, 2021
In the current literature about the Mahmudian regime in the 1830s, the academics regard many refo... more In the current literature about the Mahmudian regime in the 1830s, the academics regard many reformist policies of Mahmud II as an initial stage of the Ottoman/Turkish modernization processes. When considering the article, no 1416 among Turkey’s legal codes in the early Republican period, sending students abroad is one of these uninterrupted projects in Turkey along the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As a result, the Mahmudian regime, like other examples in the Near Eastern geography, started to dispatch young students to receive “contemporary sciences” in the different European capitals and cities. At this point, the present literature claims that a hundred and fifty young Muslim students were dispatched by the decision-makers in Istanbul; however, the Mahmudian regime did not send the overall number of them as a hundred and fifty students in the early 1830s and did not implement this decision, immediately. On the one hand, I argue that there was a decision about the policy of sending students abroad rather than executed policy in this article; on the other hand, the power in Istanbul used this decision as a legal base in the following years.
(Turkish). Copyright of Journal of Turkish Studies is the property of Gonul Tekin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
Journal of Turkish Studies/Türklük Bilgisi Araştırmaları, 2016
In Turkey, when we are following scientific research, it is seen that there has been no cooperati... more In Turkey, when we are following scientific research, it is seen that there has been no cooperation between physical and social sciences. However, topics involved in social sciences should be based on natural sciences because of being scientific.
In this regard, we take "Târîh-i Livâ" as the example that was written by Abdülhaq Molla in 1244-45 (1828-29-30) in this article because we want to draw attention to how historical data are used in climatology and meteorology.
(Turkish). Copyright of Journal of Turkish Studies is the property of Gonul Tekin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
Journal of Turkish Studies/Türklük Bilgisi Araştırmaları, 2014
The Venetian Republic had its diplomatic representatives called "Balyos" during the Ottoman and B... more The Venetian Republic had its diplomatic representatives called "Balyos" during the Ottoman and Byzantine rule. The reports written by them are indispensable sources of information for Ottoman history studies. The translation of these reports into Turkish will shed light on the life, success and political character of Choban Mustafa Pasha, the second vizier during the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent. In other words, this study will focus on Choban Mustapha Pasha who has not been the topic of a detailed study before.
(Turkish). Copyright of Journal of Turkish Studies is the property of Gonul Tekin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.
Cumhuriyet’in Yüzüncü Yılında Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Üzerine Makaleler, 2023
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, TSAF President Mert Can Yılmaz and Y... more In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, TSAF President Mert Can Yılmaz and Yarının Kültürü founder Muratcan Zorcu present an in-depth compilation of articles exploring diverse aspects of Republican history.
In this volume, Hakan Dumlu analyzes the recognition process of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), while Chris Selçuk Erenerol delves into the underexplored relations between the Turkish Orthodox community and leaders of the Turkish War of Independence. Alkan Özdemir discusses how the young Republic welcomed scientists exiled by Nazi Germany, Selin Topkaya focuses on maritime advancements during the Atatürk era, and Serkan Oğul Tuna examines Turkey’s relations with the broader Turkic world. Additionally, Muratcan Zorcu provides insights into Ottoman classical music policies in the early Republic.
With a foreword by the Turkish Ambassador to Stockholm, Mr. Yönet Can Tezel, this work is accessible free of charge. Wishing everyone a celebration of our Republic’s centennial!
Atatürk ve Türk Milleti, 2023
In 1981, M. Tayyib Gökbilgin, a distinguished historian from Istanbul University, requested then-... more In 1981, M. Tayyib Gökbilgin, a distinguished historian from Istanbul University, requested then-President General Kenan Evren to compile his articles and speeches, particularly those delivered on national holidays and Atatürk commemoration days. While Gökbilgin’s request was initially intended to contribute to the centennial celebrations of Atatürk’s birth in 1981, his sudden passing prevented its fulfillment. This compilation, recently prepared by Emir Gürsu and Muratcan Zorcu, gains added significance due to the inclusion of a condolence letter sent to Gökbilgin in 1940 by Hungarian geographer Milleker Rezső, in memory of Atatürk’s death. This letter, like Gökbilgin’s university speeches, is being published here for the first time.