TURKOMANS BETWEEN TWO EMPIRES: THE ... - Bilkent University

Ardabil and with his disciples in other regions as well. 535 But the response of Murad II,
who reached a decision after discussing the issue with his grand vizier Halil Pasha - a
member of the well-known ulema family of Çandarlı- suggests that Junayd was not
sincere in his words, which assured the Ottoman sultan that he simply was going to
conduct mystical deeds there, but rather seems to have attempted to deceive Murad II.
Relying on Aşıkpaşazāde’s account, we see that Murad II recognized Junayd’s real
intention, which was much more political than religious, and refused his demand.
Another sixteenth century Ottoman chronicle, which differs from all the other
Ottoman sources with its seemingly positive attitude towards Safavids in that it does not
repeat the clichés of Ottoman historians on Safavid Shaykhs but depicts both Shaykh
Junayd and Haydar as pious and respected men 536 , also mentions the Ottomans’
annulment of annual gifts to the Tekke of Ardabil. Skipping Junayd’s adventure in
Anatolia, Haniwaldanus Anonym says he was living in Uzun Hasan’s country. He was
so famous and revered that all the princes and Turkish begs felt a spiritual dependence
on him and sent gifts. Ottoman sultans also used to send annual gifts to him under the
name ‘çerağ akçesi’. It was reported, says Haniwaldanus Anonym, that Timur Han, the
ruler of the tatars, wanted to visit him and presented 31 captives since he felt deep
reverence. 537 Mehmed II 538 stopped sending traditional gifts to the Tekke of Ardabil.
535 Sohrweide, p. 118.
536 “Ardabil beğinin Allah’a olan sevgisi samimi idi ve bunu başkalarına da öğretiyordu. Onun asıl adı
Haydar olub dini inancı gereği, ahlāk bakımından kusursuz bir hayat tarzı olduğundan halk tarafından ona
şeyh denirdi. Babası Cüneyd aynı sebeplerden dolayı şeyh lākabını almıştı.” ANMH, pp. 34-35.
537 ANMH usually makes mistakes in the details of events especially that took place outside the Ottoman
land. Its accounts seem to be knowledge picked up here and there by listening rather than first hand report.
But still it follows quite an appropriate track in essence of events. In this specific case the anonymous
compiler again confuses: Actually Timur visited Junayd’s grand-father while returning from his campaign
on Bayezid I in Ardabil. It is reported that Timur presented 30000 captives that he deported from Anatolia
to the Tekke. (Hinz, pp. 8-9). ANMH recites this visit but confuses Hoca Ali with Junayd.
538 ANMH makes a mistake here. In 1444 Murad II abdicated in favor of his son Mehmed II. But upon the
intensifying external threats he re-accessed the throne two years later and remained as the Ottoman sultan
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