NAIMA            

       Naima is the first official historian and most famous historian of Ottomans. He was born in 1652 in Aleppo. His father was one of the notables of Aleppo. Naima, having completed his primary education there, went to Istanbul in his young ages. He studied high education and entered life as an official in Divan Secretariat. After hat, his life elapsed in many civil services. He worked in such jobs as Divan Letter Writer, Chief Accountant etc. He sometimes was promoted and live in prosperity in his civil service life, and sometimes was dismissed and suffered troubles. He was banished to Alanya and Bursa for some time. Çorlulu Ali pasha took him with himself to Mora expedition. Naima died in Patras in 1715 as an accountant in his 63 and was buried at the yard of some mosque in this town.

 

       Mustafa Naima Effendi, who was the first official vak'anüvis in Ottoman history, went to Istanbul in his youth after having completed his primary education in Aleppo, the city in which he was born. He was interested in reading and writing and literature and history in particular, since his childhood. He went to Enderun in Istanbul. Afterwards, he served in Divan secretariat.

 

       His bright intellect, hardworking made him show himself in a short time, and he was promoted as the Divan Effendi of Kalayli Koz Ahmet Pasha. Then, he served for Amcazade Huseyin Pasha, who was known to protect scientists and artists. The serious works which spread his name started during his duty when he was working for Huseyin Pasha.

 

       Amcazade Huseyin Pasha gave in important task to him after he found out his perfect historical knowledge. There was a rough copy history book in the library of the Pasha, written by Şârihu'l-Menârzade Ahmet Efendi, which was not put in order yet. The book reported the events between 1591 and 1659.

 

       Huseyin Pasha commissioned Naima to put in order and rewrite this book. Naima worked really hard. He made long researches based on various sources and he was appreciated by Huseyin Pasha before he completed even the first chapters of the book. After this book was completed, there was no remaining connection of it with the old rough copies, but it expressed Naima's research and skills. Therefore, this great book is known as NaimâTarihi.

 

       The years told in NaimâTarihi, are the worst years of Ottoman Empire. Naima, expressing those years to us with his vivid and delicate style, not only put forward his skills as a historian but also his power as a writer. Ottoman historians remained superficial in reporting events because either they could not penetrate the events taking place in the palace or they were afraid to lose their lives even if they hear some rumors. However, Naima acted with bravery, and even told how Ahmet the 3rd executed his 19 brothers as soon as he acceded to the throne: "While nineteen innocent princes, who were brothers of the world sultan, reached the level of martyrdom with a robe for the order of the world, royal harem watched their being killed in tears..."

 

       Istanbul people were also very sad and grieved about this event. Naima, easily reports that the biggest Prince, Mustafa told the following couplet before he died:

Nâsiyemde kâtib-i kudret ne yazdı bilmedüm
Âh, kim bu gülşen-i alemde herkiz gülmedüm.

       In another chapter of Naima Tarihi, the cowardice of Sultan Mehmet the 3rd was told. The event we learn from it is: Sultan Mehmet the 3rd was forcedly made to lead a campaign and stopped Ottoman Army in Hasova position. The note sent by the sultan to Grand Vizier Damat Ibrahim Pasha was much embarrassing: "You are my lala, now what if I make you the commander here and turn back to Istanbul?..."

 

       Naima brought a new style of history writing. He had a vivid and attractive style. He saw and mentioned about the social environment giving birth to events. The life of people and country in this period was revived in his book. He wrote and criticized with a strong expression style the deficiencies of sultans and viziers.

 

       Naima put forward a brand-new history literature and art pondering on the inner worlds of people forming historical events. This book is one of the most precious ones in our historical literature.

 

       Naima's orderly book was first published by Ibrahim Müteferrika in two volumes. Then it was republished in six volumes. NaimâTarihi is one of the leading history books in Ottoman histories.

 

       Naima was promoted up to Anatolian Accountant in civil service, but since he did not close his eyes to injustice and said criticizing words for the leading figures of his period, was banished to Hanya in 1706.

 

       Upon his wife's proposal, his banishment place was changed to Bursa. He lived troublesome days in exile. Naima, who suffered a lot in a long year, turned back to Istanbul at last, with consent of Çorlulu Ali Pasha. He was readmitted to civil service.Even Corlulu Ali Pasha took him with himself to Mora expedition to please him.

 

       Naima, who suffered for his righteousness during this expedition too, was dismissed from certain duties. He was subjected to unjust and inappropriate treatment. He was charged as accountant in Patras town of Mora.

 

       Naima died in his 63 in Patras. He was buried to the yard of the only mosque in Patras. Neither that mosque, nor his grave remained until now...