AYNUR HAJIGADIRLI

PhD in History, Associate Professor 

Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli, ANAS

[email protected]

 

THE CAUCASUS POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN AND OTTOMAN EMPIRES

IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY IN TURKISH HISTORIOGRAPHY

(Based On The Books “History Of Turkey 3. The Ottoman Empire”

And Ahmet Shimshirgil's Kayi-VII Ottoman History.

Against The Holy League)

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2708-065X/114/283-290

 

The presented article analyzes the research on the history of the Azerbaijani Safavid State within Turkish historiography and the specific characteristics of its approaches. The majority of Turkish historians tend to place the entire responsibility for the tensions and wars in Safavid-Ottoman relations on the Safavid shahs. Although such researchers attempt to approach the problem seriously, they often content themselves with a simple summary of events rather than a comprehensive scientific analysis.

Some Turkish historians do not sufficiently benefit from the works of Azerbaijani scholars, often dissolving or distorting Azerbaijani history within the history of Iran and the Near East. The presen­tation of the Safavid State as an "Iranian state" as a rule by these historians leads to the denial of the statehood traditions of the Azerbaijani Turks. Although interest has increased since Azerbaijan gai­ned independence, this traditional subjective bias has not yet been fully eliminated.

Despite these shortcomings, certain attempts have been made to study 18th-century Azerbaijani history, particularly its relations with the Ottoman Empire, thanks to the rich primary sources in Turkish archives. However, the 150-year conflict has often been oversimplified and presented merely as a "Sunni-Shia" struggle.

The article explores this issue by referencing the works of researchers who hold a special place in Turkish historiography, such as Metin Kunt, Sina Akşin, and Ahmet Shimshirgil. By citing excerpts from these researchers' works, the article attempts to prove that the struggle between the Safavid and Ottoman states was far from sectarian, and was, in fact, pursued for political and economic conso­lidation in the Caucasus and the Middle East.

Keywords: Historiography, Turkey, Safavid State, Russia, Ottoman State.