Osman's Dream
Encyclopedia
Osman's Dream is an Old Turkish
epic poem
, narrative history, attributed to Osman I
of Ottoman Empire
, but most probably unknown authorship, dating at the 13th century. The work alludes to a dream experienced by the first sultan, Osman I, consisting of a summary of the rise and growth of the empire four centuries before the events happened. The dream illuminates via myth some of the conditions and ambitions in existence at the dawn of the Ottoman institution.
The Ottoman writers attach great importance to this dream of the founder of their empire
(1258 - 1326), out of respect for his purity and learning. They met at Itbourouni, a village in Eskişehir
. After he had one evening accidentally seen his beautiful daughter, Mal Hatun
, Osman's visits became more frequent, which led to a confession of love. However the Sheik Edebali thought that the disparity of positions made a marriage unwise and refused to give his consent.
In the following months the disappointed Osman sought consolation in his friendships. With a lover's inspiration, he so eloquently described the beauty of Mal Hatun that the listeners fell in love with her. The young chief of Eskişehir also went to Mal Hatun's father and demanded her hand for himself. Edebali refused. However, Edebali feared the vengeance of the chief of Eskişehir, so he moved his residence from the neighborhood of Eskişehir to a very close place called Ertuğrul
.
The chief of Eskişehir began to hate Osman and see him as his rival. One day when Osman and his brother Gokalp were visiting the castle of their neighbor, the lord of Ineani, an armed force approached the gate, led by the chief of Eskişehir
and his ally, Michael of the Peaked Beard. (Michael of the Peaked Beard was the Greek
lord of Khirenkia, a fortified city at the foot of Phrygia
n Olympus.) They demanded that Osman be given up to them, but the lord of Inaeni refused to commit such a breach of hospitality. While the enemy lingered irresolutely around the castle wall, Osman and his brother seized a moment for a sudden attack. They chased the chief of Eskişehir off the field in disgrace, and took Michael of the Peaked Beard prisoner. The captive and the captors eventually became friends however; later, when Osman reigned as an independent prince, Michael sided with him against the Greeks, and was thenceforth one of the strongest supporters of the Ottoman power.
By this encounter at Ineani, Osman had triumphed over his rival and acquired a valuable friend, but he could not gain the maiden of his heart. For two more years he waited, sick with love and anxiety.
Osman told this dream to his host; the vision seemed to Edebali so clearly to indicate honour, power, and glory to the posterity of Osman and Mal Hatun, that the old Sheik no longer opposed their union. They were married by the saintly Dervise Touroud, a disciple of Edebali.
Osman promised to give the officiating minister a dwelling-place near a mosque and on the bank of a river. When Osman became an independent (which is when the Ottoman Empire began), he built for the dervis a convent, which he endowed richly with villages and lands, and which remained for centuries in the possession of the family of Touroud.
Most scholars agree that the story should not be taken literally but as a historical legend
or myth, and a set of themes important to this ancient culture. It is known that Sheik Edebali was a much respected teacher at his time and Osman was really being educated in his house. We are not as sure, however, of the historical authenticity of other characters who appear in the story, such as Michael of the Peaked Beard or Dervise Touroud.
There are several themes embedded in this love story. It is left to the reader if Osman's passion for Mal Hatun was based on her physical features or based on what she represents. Some interpret the character of Mal Hatun (trans: Treasure of a Woman) as representing a passion for learning, which is presented mythologically as an image of treasured woman. Patience and humility, as well as courage and fortitude, are exalted virtues which eventually allow the hero to achieve his goal. The Story of Foundation is seen as one of the best examples of Turkish oral history.
Osman I was bounded to the Chobanid principality, whose center was Kastamonu
between 1281-1299. He declared independence from her after signing treaty of Chobanids with Byzantine Empire
. Osmanoğlu Emirate was nominally bounded to Sultanate of Rum
and Il-Khanate between 1299-1326.
Rise of the Ottoman Empire
The Foundation and Rise of the Ottoman Empire refers to the period which started with the weakening of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm in the very early 14th century and ended with the Byzantine Empire decline and the Fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453.The rise of the Ottomans correlates with the...
epic poem
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
, narrative history, attributed to Osman I
Osman I
Osman I or Othman I or El-Gazi Sultan Osman Ghazi, or Osman Bey or I. Osman, Osman Gazi Han), nicknamed "Kara" for his courage, was the leader of the Ottoman Turks, and the founder of the dynasty that established and ruled the Ottoman Empire...
of Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, but most probably unknown authorship, dating at the 13th century. The work alludes to a dream experienced by the first sultan, Osman I, consisting of a summary of the rise and growth of the empire four centuries before the events happened. The dream illuminates via myth some of the conditions and ambitions in existence at the dawn of the Ottoman institution.
The Ottoman writers attach great importance to this dream of the founder of their empire
Historical background
Osman, a young prince, was known and praised widely for his devotion to Allah and desire for learning. Osman began to visit a holy man, the Sheik EdebaliSheik Edebali
Sheikh Edebali was a highly influential and respected Turkish religious leader, who helped shape and develop the policies of the growing Ottoman State.-Early life:...
(1258 - 1326), out of respect for his purity and learning. They met at Itbourouni, a village in Eskişehir
Eskisehir
Eskişehir is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of the Eskişehir Province. According to the 2009 census, the population of the city is 631,905. The city is located on the banks of the Porsuk River, 792 m above sea level, where it overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley. In the nearby...
. After he had one evening accidentally seen his beautiful daughter, Mal Hatun
Mal Hatun
Malhun Hatun, Mal Hatun, Mala Hatun, Mâl Hatun ya da Bala Hatun was the wife of Osman I, Valide Sultan. It has been recognized by many historians that she was the daughter of the Anatolian Turkish Bey, Ömer Bey, although there had been some speculations that she was the daughter of Sheik...
, Osman's visits became more frequent, which led to a confession of love. However the Sheik Edebali thought that the disparity of positions made a marriage unwise and refused to give his consent.
In the following months the disappointed Osman sought consolation in his friendships. With a lover's inspiration, he so eloquently described the beauty of Mal Hatun that the listeners fell in love with her. The young chief of Eskişehir also went to Mal Hatun's father and demanded her hand for himself. Edebali refused. However, Edebali feared the vengeance of the chief of Eskişehir, so he moved his residence from the neighborhood of Eskişehir to a very close place called Ertuğrul
Ertugrul
Ertuğrul was the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. He was the leader of the Kayı clan of the Oghuz Turks...
.
The chief of Eskişehir began to hate Osman and see him as his rival. One day when Osman and his brother Gokalp were visiting the castle of their neighbor, the lord of Ineani, an armed force approached the gate, led by the chief of Eskişehir
Eskisehir
Eskişehir is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of the Eskişehir Province. According to the 2009 census, the population of the city is 631,905. The city is located on the banks of the Porsuk River, 792 m above sea level, where it overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley. In the nearby...
and his ally, Michael of the Peaked Beard. (Michael of the Peaked Beard was the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
lord of Khirenkia, a fortified city at the foot of Phrygia
Phrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
n Olympus.) They demanded that Osman be given up to them, but the lord of Inaeni refused to commit such a breach of hospitality. While the enemy lingered irresolutely around the castle wall, Osman and his brother seized a moment for a sudden attack. They chased the chief of Eskişehir off the field in disgrace, and took Michael of the Peaked Beard prisoner. The captive and the captors eventually became friends however; later, when Osman reigned as an independent prince, Michael sided with him against the Greeks, and was thenceforth one of the strongest supporters of the Ottoman power.
By this encounter at Ineani, Osman had triumphed over his rival and acquired a valuable friend, but he could not gain the maiden of his heart. For two more years he waited, sick with love and anxiety.
The dream
One night, when Osman was resting at Edebali’s house (for the shelter of hospitality could never be denied even to the suitor whose addresses were rejected), the young prince, after long and melancholy musing on her whom he loved, composed his soul in that patient resignation to sorrow, which, according to the Arabs is the key to all happiness. In this mood he fell asleep, and he dreamed a dream.Osman told this dream to his host; the vision seemed to Edebali so clearly to indicate honour, power, and glory to the posterity of Osman and Mal Hatun, that the old Sheik no longer opposed their union. They were married by the saintly Dervise Touroud, a disciple of Edebali.
Osman promised to give the officiating minister a dwelling-place near a mosque and on the bank of a river. When Osman became an independent (which is when the Ottoman Empire began), he built for the dervis a convent, which he endowed richly with villages and lands, and which remained for centuries in the possession of the family of Touroud.
Interpretation and criticism
Most of the translation in this text is based on "History of Ottoman Turks" (1878) which was also based on Von Hammer's research. The text is modernized and has some missing sections.Most scholars agree that the story should not be taken literally but as a historical legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
or myth, and a set of themes important to this ancient culture. It is known that Sheik Edebali was a much respected teacher at his time and Osman was really being educated in his house. We are not as sure, however, of the historical authenticity of other characters who appear in the story, such as Michael of the Peaked Beard or Dervise Touroud.
There are several themes embedded in this love story. It is left to the reader if Osman's passion for Mal Hatun was based on her physical features or based on what she represents. Some interpret the character of Mal Hatun (trans: Treasure of a Woman) as representing a passion for learning, which is presented mythologically as an image of treasured woman. Patience and humility, as well as courage and fortitude, are exalted virtues which eventually allow the hero to achieve his goal. The Story of Foundation is seen as one of the best examples of Turkish oral history.
Osman I was bounded to the Chobanid principality, whose center was Kastamonu
Kastamonu
Kastamonu is the capital district of the Kastamonu Province, Turkey. According to the 2000 census, population of the district is 102,059 of which 64,606 live in the urban center of Kastamonu. The district covers an area of , and the town lies at an elevation of...
between 1281-1299. He declared independence from her after signing treaty of Chobanids with Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. Osmanoğlu Emirate was nominally bounded to Sultanate of Rum
Sultanate of Rûm
The Sultanate of Rum , also known as the Anatolian Seljuk State , was a Turkic state centered in in Anatolia, with capitals first at İznik and then at Konya. Since the court of the sultanate was highly mobile, cities like Kayseri and Sivas also functioned at times as capitals...
and Il-Khanate between 1299-1326.