The Mevlevihane as a Cultural Institution: Reflections on the Traces of Iranian Culture in the Ottoman Realm

Document Type : Research/Original/Reqular Article

Author

Ph.D. in the History and Civilization of Islamic Nations, Faculty of Theology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jhic.2025.401312.654601

Abstract

The Mevleviyya was one of the most influential Sufi orders of the Ottoman era. Through the institution of the Mevlevihane (Mawlawi Lodge), it succeeded in preserving, disseminating, and reinterpreting the cultural legacy of Jalal al-Din Balkhi/ Rumi (d. 672/ 1273) throughout the Ottoman realm. The Mevlevihanes were not merely lodges for spiritual discipline and the training of disciples; rather, they functioned as cultural institutions that played a fundamental role in the transmission, continuity, and institutionalization of Iranian cultural heritage. The central question of this study is how the Mevlevihanes became arenas for the reproduction and expansion of Iranian cultural elements within the Ottoman domains, while simultaneously contributing to the formation of the empire’s cultural identity. The findings of this research demonstrate that within the Mevlevihanes of the Ottoman realm, various elements of Iranian culture, such as Nowruz and Ashura, were manifested through distinctive rituals and practices. Moreover, the Persian language, through the tradition of Masnavi recitation and commentaries on Rumi’s works, attained a privileged status. Mastery of Persian thus became essential for a deeper understanding of Rumi’s thought and the broader literary heritage of Iran within the Mevlevihanes. From this perspective, the Mevlevihanes were not only spiritual centers but also significant cultural hubs that fostered a vital connection between Iranian traditions and the Ottoman spiritual and cultural milieu. Examining the role of these institutions opens new horizons for the study of historical interactions between Iranian and Ottoman cultures and underscores the importance of paying closer attention to the history of Sufism and its cultural institutions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

The Holy Qur’an.
Aflaki, Sh. (1983). Manāqeb al-Ārefin. Edited by Yazici, T. Tehran: Donyaye Ketab.
Ashiq Chalabi, P. M. ibn A. ibn Z. al-A. al-P. (1971). mashā‘er al-sho‘ara [The Senses of Poets] (The Biographies of Ashiq Chalabi). London: Meredith Owens Press.
Babaei, T. (2016). The Status of Nowruz in the Ottoman Administrative System (Early Period). Islamic History Studies, 8(30).
Baladhuri, A. ibn Y. (1996). Ansāb al-‘ashrāf. Damascus: Mahmoud Firdaws al-Azm Press.
Dehkhoda, A. A. (n.d.). L‘oghat Nameh. Tehran: n.p.
Chalabi, D. M. (n.d.). Collected Poems. Manuscript, Konya Manuscript Library, No. 79362.
Esfahani, A. F. (1989). Maqātel al-talebīn [The Martyrdoms of the Talibids]. Cairo: Ahmad Saqr Press.
Evliya Çelebi, M. ibn D. (1935). Evliya Çelebi’s Travelogue. Istanbul: Iqdam Printing House.
Friedlander, I. (2003). Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes. Translated by Kavani, Sh. Tehran: Zaryab Publications.
Golpinarli, A. B. (1987). The Mawlawiyya after Rumi. Translated by Sobhani, T. Tehran: Keyhan Publications.
Golshani, A. (1975). Farhang-e Iran dar qalamrov-e Turkan. Shiraz: Mostafavi Press.
Hazrati, H.; Karju Ajirlu, B. & Ebadi, M. (2024). How Mawlawis confronted the Kadızadeliler in the Ottoman period (1032–1095 AH / 1623–1683 AD). Cultural History Studies; Research Journal of Iranian Society of History, 15(60), 147-182.
Ibn Battuta, M. ibn A. (1997). The Travels of Ibn Battuta. Translated by Movahed, M. A. Tehran: Sepehr Naqsh Press.
Ibn Bibi, A. N. H. (1971). Akhbar-e Salajeke Anatolia. Edited by Mashkur, M. J. Tehran: Tehran Publications.
Ispanaqchi Pashazadeh, M. A. (2000). The Islamic Revolution among the Elite and the Commoners. Edited by Jafarian, R. Qom: Dalil Publications.
Monqari, N. ibn M. (2003). The Battle of Siffin. Cairo: Abd al-Salam Harun Press.
Mowlana, J. M. (1957–1967). Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi (The Great Divan). Edited by Foruzanfar B. Z. Tehran: University of Tehran Press.
Mowlana, J. M. (1995). Masnavi M‘anavi. Edited by Foruzanfar B. Z. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publications.
Na‘eima, M. (1903). Tārikh-e Na‘eima. n.p.
Riyahi, M. A. (1990). Zaban va Adab-e Farsi dar qalamrov-e Ottoman. Tehran: Pajang Publications.
Sasani, Kh. M. (1975). Yādbūodha-ye Sefārat-e Istanbul. Tehran: Babak Publications.
Saqeb Dede, M. (1905). Safine Nafise Mawlawiyyan. Istanbul: n.p.
Selaniki, M. (1903). The History of Selaniki. Istanbul: Āmire Printing House.
Setayeshgar, M. (2013). Rebab-e Rūmi (Mawlana va Mūsiqi). Tehran: Honar-e Musiqi Publications.
Sheikh Galib, M. A. ibn M. R. (1821). Divan-e Sheikh Galib. Manuscript, Suleymaniye Library.
Sheikh Galib, M. A. ibn M. R. (1836). Divan. Cairo: Bulaq Printing House.
Tānmān, B. (2005). Ottoman Architecture in Bursa: The First Capital of the Ottoman Empire. Translated by Beigi Boroujeni, Sh. Tehran: Paniz Publications.
Tabari, M. ibn J. (2003). Tārikh al-‘Omam va al-Molūk. Beirut: Muhammad Abu al-Fazl Ibrahim Press.
Ziya, M. (1911). The Yeni Kapu Mawlawikhane. Istanbul: Dar al-Khilafah al-Aliyah.
Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization
Volume 58, Issue 2
(Autumn & Winter 2025 / 2026)
March 2026
Pages 1-23

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 11 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 06 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 11 November 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics