Evliya Çelebi (1611 -1682/85) is the most famous Ottoman Turkish traveler and explorer. He is well-known for his ten-volume travelogue, the Seyahatnâme ('Book of Travels'), a monumental narrative of his travels spanning over 40 years. In this account, he gives a broad perspective of the Ottoman world of the 17th century. Calling himself a "world traveler" (seyyâh-ı ‘âlem), Evliya was also a musician, soldier, dervish, and conversationalist with members of the court. Instead of writing a straightforward history book, he embellished the Seyahatnâme with stories and reflections to both educate and entertain his readers.
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Definition
Timeline
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25 Mar 1611 - c. 25 Mar 1682Life of Evliya Çelebi, the Ottoman Turkish traveler and explorer.
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10 Sep 1623 - 8 Feb 1640The reign of Murad IV, Evliya Çelebi's first major patron.
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1640 - 1641Evliya Çelebi first travels outside Istanbul and narrowly escapes death by drowning in the Black Sea.
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1645 - 1648Evliya Çelebi travels in Eastern Anatolia, Safavid Persia, the Caucasus, and the Levant.
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1650 - 1651The Grand Viziership of Melek Ahmed Pasha, Evliya Çelebi's relative and patron.
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15 Sep 1656 - 3 Nov 1676The Grand Vizierships of Köprülü Mehmed and his son, Fazıl Ahmed, who were Evliya Çelebi's major patrons.
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1663 - 1668Evliya Çelebi joins the Ottoman forces in Hungary and Crete and visits Austria with an embassy delegation.
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1671 - 1672Evliya Çelebi performs the Hajj and later settles in Egypt.
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1672 - c. 1683Evliya Çelebi travels to Egypt, Sudan, and Abyssinia, and compiles the Seyahatnâme in ten volumes.
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c. 1682 - c. 1685Evliya Çelebi's death.
