Asım Efendi's Understanding of History

1. International Ordu Scientific Research Congress, Ordu, Türkiye, 13 - 14 Nisan 2026, ss.343, (Özet Bildiri)

ASIM EFENDI’S UNDERSTANDİNG OF HISTORY

Asım Efendi was influenced by Ibn Haldun and Naima in his approach to history. Asım

Efendi was appointed to the post of court chronicler on January 1808. To determine the

starting for his account of events, he began his duties by examining the drafts written by

Pertev and Amir Efendi. He also use made use of the documents entrusted to him by the

Divan-ı Hümayun. Sultan Mahmud had tasked him with recording events from the deposition

of Sultan Selim III onwords. Asım Efendi, chronicled events in chronological order up to the

accession of Mahmud II. Asım Efendi, continued his role as court chronicaler until his death

in 1819. Ottoman court chronicling remained faithful to the tradition of Islamic historical

writing in terms of scholarly approach and writing techniques. This reflects the superiority of

Islamic civilisation over Western civilisation. Cevdet Pasha also used Asım Efendi’s

chronicle as a source in his own historical work.

Asım Efendi states that Europen states adopted the concept of a regular army structure from

the Ottoman State. France, England and Russia as enemies of the Ottoman State. Asım Efendi

expresses the view that, rather than elevating vagabonds and ruffians who had risen from

banditry to the rank of individuals loyal to the throne, such as Cezzar Ahmed Pasha.

Asım Efendi would express his animosity towards his enemies, whose wickedness he had

witnessed. He would also speak of those kindness he had witnessed with affection. He

harboured a very sincere love and respect for Selim III. Asım Efendi has often been the

subject of criticisim regarding slanderous rumors and gossip in his personal life.