ALI KUSCU

Ali Kuşçu, the greatest astronomy and theology scholar of Turkish-Islamic world was born in Semerkant in the beginning of 15th century. Since his father Mohammed was the birder of the famous Turkish sultan and astronomer Ulug Bey, his family was known with their nickname “Kuşçu”, meaning birder. Ali Kuşçu, who was interested in mathematics and astronomy since his early ages, attended astronomy classes of Kadızâde Rumî from Bursa, Gıyâseddin Cemşîd and Muînuddîn Kâşî, the greatest scholars of the age. Then he went to Kirman to increase his knowledge.There he wrote a booklet named Hall-ü Eşkâl-i Kamer (Explanation of Phases of the Moon) and his book named Şerh-i Tecrîd.

Ali Kuşçu, after having completed his education in Semerkant and Kirman, became the assistant of Ulug Bey and the manager of his observatory. He wanted to go to a pilgrimage in 1449. In Tabriz, Ruler of Akkoyunlu State, Uzun Hasan respected him much and wanted his assistance in peace talks to Fatih. Ali Kuşçu, after acting as the spokesman of Uzun Hasan, went to Istanbul upon invitation of Fatih. Semerkant was an important center of science in the world in the first half of 15th century. Ulug Bey Observatory took the most accurate results for astronomy researches. Ali Kuşçu, the young manager of the Observatory, worked day and night and strove to add new scientific ones to the existing ones. Astronomy both contributed to determination of invariable rules and laws and could be checked with observations. Ali Kuşçu, who worked in this job for about thirty years, decided to go to Pilgrimage suddenly leaving everything unfinished. The reason for this was that his beloved ruler, Ulug Bey was assassinated in 1449 in an unexpected time. This scientist and powerful ruler of Gürgân throne was betrayed by his own son Abdüllatif.

Ulug Bey meant something quite different for Ali Kuşçu. First, he was his teacher. He had taken mathematics and astronomy lessons from him, and had examined his works for a long time. He attended his talks, and even because he was his Chief Falconer, his title “Kuscu (Birder)” was left as a remembrance. Ulug Bey thought Ali Kuşçu as suitable manager for his observatory, which he established himself, and helped him in person in his inexperienced times during his studies leading the observatory. Assassination of Ulug Bey due to a betrayal was a something vitally painful for Ali Kuşçu.

Ali Kuscu was very hurt with this event. He went to Tebriz with his children and family. Uzun Hasan respected him so much that he wanted him to act as a mediator between him and the young conqueror who ended one era and opened another by conquering Constantinople. He knew that young Fatih was also a scholar and respected scholars much. Things happening in Istanbul reached Tebriz via birds. The spies and messengers of Shiites conveyed the information about the war intentions and preparations of the sultan.

Upon this, Ali Kuşçu accepted the proposal of Uzun Hasan, who respected him so much, and completed his preparations for the way. He reached the former Byzantium, known as Kızıl Elma (Red Apple) in Semerkant. The messengers had told to the Palace beforehand that he would come. When he was admitted to appear before the sultan, he was complimented by the Ottoman ruler more than he had expected. Thus, his books were known by Istanbul before himself. The Sultan was aware of the studies of Ulug Bey, who was in months distance from Istanbul.

Mehmet the Second of the Ottoman Empire (Fatih), was a very careful, well-informed and watchful sultan. He admitted the messenger of Uzun Hasan with a traditional ceremony, listened to his wishes, but did not let him return immediately. He requested from him to educate youth in Ottoman schools with his information in the scientific center of the age, which had shifted towards west.

This proposal was an unexpected compliment for Ali Kuşçu. Fatih’s wish was an order for him. But he proved that he was a morally upright person with the words below:
“I would like to turn back to Tabriz if my sultan lets me to. The true reason of my existence here is to be the messenger of Akkoyunlu Ruler. There is no harm to a messenger. It is necessary for me before I accept the gracious invitation of my sultan to turn back and inform the person who sent me here and who trusted me, that I carried out my duty with a good result...”

This excuse of Ali Kuşçu seemed reasonable to Fatih. The Sultan was happy for two things at the same time: Kuşçu accepted his invitation and was to return there to educate students. The second one, was that he was a honest and well-behaved person. He would form an example for the youth to be educated in the schools. Therefore, he was permitted to return after putting him up for a further period of time.

The distinguished mathematics and astronomy scholar Ali Kuşçu, kept his word. He left Tabriz with his family two years later. He was welcomed on the Ottoman border and brought to Istanbul in splendor. He dealt with educating the youth until his death. Upon Kuşçu’s starting to teach, Istanbul schools took enormous steps in astronomy and mathematics fields.

Ali Kuscu, Osmanlılar arasında astronomi bilimini yaydı. Ali Kuscu’s going to Istanbul is very important, because there was no strong scholars engaged in astronomy in Istanbul these times.

Ali Kuscu has many books, all valuable. The leading one among them is Risâle fi'l-Hey'e (Astronomy Booklet). It is a magnificent astronomy book. Ali Kuşçu wrote this book in Persian and then translated into Arabic with some additions. He presented to Fatih Sultan Mehmet the Arabic copy. He interpreted and expanded the book of Ulug Bey, named Zîç, examining the movements of stars. In addition, Risâle fi’l-Fethiye (Conquest Booklet), Risâle fi’l-Hesâb (Mathematics Booklet) are among his well-known books.