The Ottoman Empire was a vast and powerful state that stretched from the Balkans to the Middle East and beyond. During its long and storied history, the Ottoman Empire was home to a number of intrepid explorers who ventured forth to discover new lands and peoples. These explorers hailed from all walks of life and came from all corners of the Ottoman world, but they all shared a common love of adventure and a desire to learn about the world around them. Some of the most famous Ottoman explorers include Derviş Mehmed Zillî, Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battutah, and Evliya Çelebi, all of whom are remembered for their incredible journeys and the invaluable insights they brought back to the Ottoman Empire.
Derviş Mehmed Zillî
Derviş Mehmed Zillî also known as Evliya Çelebi was a well-known Ottoman explorer who is remembered for his extensive travels and adventures in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Born in 1747 in Istanbul, Zillî was a member of the Ottoman aristocracy and received a classical education in Islamic studies and the sciences. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in exploration and travel, and as a young man he set out on a series of expeditions that took him to many parts of the world.
One of Zillî’s most notable trips was his journey to Mecca in 1772, where he made the pilgrimage as a devout Muslim. He also visited other holy cities in the region, such as Medina and Jerusalem, and wrote detailed accounts of his experiences that provide valuable insights into the customs and cultures of the people he encountered.
In addition to his travels in the Middle East, Zillî also ventured further afield, making trips to Europe, Africa, and Asia. He visited many major cities and landmarks, including Paris, London, Cairo, and Delhi, and was always eager to learn about the local cultures and traditions.
Despite the dangers and challenges that he faced on his travels, Zillî remained undaunted and continued to explore the world with a sense of curiosity and wonder. He was a skilled linguist and writer, and his accounts of his adventures were widely read and admired.
Today, Derviş Mehmed Zillî is remembered as one of the great Ottoman explorers of his time, and his contributions to our understanding of the world have made him an enduring figure in the history of exploration.
Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battutah
Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan scholar and explorer who is widely considered one of the greatest travelers of all time. Born in 1304 in the city of Tangier, Battuta set out on a journey of discovery at the age of 21 that would take him to many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Battuta’s travels were motivated by his deep curiosity about the world and his desire to learn about different cultures and traditions. He was also a devout Muslim, and his journey was, in part, a religious pilgrimage.
Over the course of his travels, Battuta visited more than 40 countries and covered a distance of around 75,000 miles. He traveled through the Middle East, India, China, and Southeast Asia, and also made trips to Europe, including Spain and the Byzantine Empire.
Battuta was a skilled linguist and a keen observer of the world around him, and he recorded his experiences in great detail in a book called “The Travels of Ibn Battuta.” His accounts provide valuable insights into the customs, cultures, and histories of the places he visited, and are an important source of information about the world in the 14th century.
Today, Ibn Battuta is remembered as one of the great explorers of his time, and his contributions to our understanding of the world have made him an enduring figure in the history of exploration.
Derviş Mehmed Zillî and Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battutah were two of the most famous Ottoman explorers of all time, and their adventures have inspired countless others to follow in their footsteps. Their bravery, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge have made them enduring figures in the history of exploration.
NOMAD SKETCHBOOK 