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

We learn from Kemalpaşazāde, 1186 when Ismail rose in 1499, the Turkomans of
Teke were among his foremost supporters. Kemalpaşazāde’s description - such as
disobedient-stubborn, fearless, and killers - suggests that they were overwhelmingly
nomadic-tribes. We also learn from Kemalpaşazāde that they were not deemed as being
respected (kendüye kimse ādem demeyen), but rather esteemed among lower classes of
the society in their homeland. They were far away from state posts, but always had been
simple subjects. In short, they were distanced from the Ottoman state organization in
such a degree that they could not benefit from any favor of the state; rather regarded by
the bureaucrats - the state agents – as second class subjects.
On the other hand, they found, as Kemalpaşazāde put forward, honor and respect
in the court of Ismail. They became attached to the dignity of state and achieved high
posts near Ismail while they were ignorable subjects in their homeland. Those who had
never been acquainted with any state functionary in their life became the commanders
and generals. Kemalpaşazāde also hits on an important point to be underscored: the
Turkomans of Teke were among the firsts who joined Ismail’s forces when he moved
from Gīlan. Thus they acquired superiority among qizilbashes. They also acquired fame
with their bravery and obedience (merdānelik ve yoldaşlık). 1187
Kemalpaşazāde argues it was because of the respect and opportunities they found
under the banner of Ismail which caused many Turkomans of the Teke region to leave
their home and immigrate to Persia. They sold all of their possessions even at very low
prices. One should not disregard, however, that this is not the whole picture; it was not
çift āstini iki yini yaka rūstāyi bölüşmek, ya’nī ki iki çahşırı bir uğurdan temellüke kādir olmayanları birisi
ile iktifā itmek ve beğleri ve bellü başluların ekseri ol tarīka gitmek şi’ār u disārları Đslām ve imanları gibi
şatr-ı vāhid ile kanā’at sūretini göstermek üzre idi.” (ALI, p. 1086.)
1186 KPZ8b, p. 43.
1187 KPZ8b, p. 43.
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