Two Lost Inscriptions Rediscovered in Sivrihisar and Their Importance
Abstract
The current study details the rediscovery of two inscriptions in the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir, which had been lost for various causes throughout history. The primary objective of the study was to accurately interpret the inscriptions and reintegrate them into the literature, provide comprehensive explanations, ascertain their associated structures, and elucidate their significance in urban, political, and art history. The inscriptions from the early years of Sivrihisar, specifically 1325/26 and 1343/44, hold significant importance since they illuminate the emerging and foundational period of the Ottoman Empire, a time that is still mostly unknown due to insufficient documentation and data. Given the limited number of extant architectural works from this era, the examination of these inscriptions -detailing two unidentified architectural projects that have not endured and the identities of their patrons- will significantly enhance research in the domains of Sivrihisar’s historical, political, and artistic studies.
The first inscription was unearthed beneath the ground in the courtyard of the Sheikh Baba Yusuf Mosque in the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir. This inscription refers to the construction of a masjid built by Hodja Ibrahim b. Hodja Osman in AH 744 (CE 1343-44), indicated by the word ‘‘imaret’. Sheikh Baba Yusuf, the founder of the Sheikh Baba Yusuf Mosque (built CE 1492-93), writes in his work Mevhûb-ı Mahbûb that while he was practicing i’tikāf on a Thursday evening, he felt inspired to demolish the existing masjid and construct a new mosque in its place. Taking this as a sign, Sheikh Baba Yusuf proceeded to demolish the masjid and build the mosque that stands today. Therefore, based on the fact that it was found in the garden of the Sheikh Baba Yusuf Mosque and the words of Sheikh Baba Yusuf in his work, it is believed that this inscription belongs to the first masjid that existed before the mosque was constructed.
The second inscription is located on the entrance door of a house in the Kubbeli Neighborhood of Sivrihisar. The inscription, which has been referred to as lost in various publications, may have been thought to be missing over time due to the house’s placement on an alley, leading to its existence and content being forgotten. The inscription informs us about a masjid constructed by Abu Bakr (or Ulu Beg) bin Balagush in AH 726 (CE 1325-26). While it may be possible to discuss and debate various possibilities, at this time, it appears impossible to determine and finalize the specific structure to which the inscription belongs. According to various sources, it can be stated that the inscriptions belong to a period of political instability and governmental uncertainty in the history of Sivrihisar. Sources indicate that Sivrihisar did not benefit sufficiently from the intensity of attention due to the emergence and consolidation of the Ottoman Empire, which shifted its focus to the western provinces during this period. Conversely, during the same period, Sivrihisar was subject to constant changes of control between the Karamanids and the Ilkhanids. Therefore, it is very difficult to draw conclusions about the political power in Sivrihisar during these years based on precise dates.
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Sivrihisar’da Yeniden Ortaya Çıkarılan İki Kayıp Kitabe Ve Önemi
Abstract
Çalışmada, Eskişehir’in Sivrihisar ilçesinde tarihi süreç içerisinde çeşitli nedenlerle kaybolmuş iki kitabenin yeniden ortaya çıkarılması anlatılmaktadır. Kitabelerin doğru bir okunuşla literatüre kazandırılması, detaylı tanıtımlarının yapılması, hangi yapılara ait olduklarının belirlenmeye çalışılması ve bu kitabelerin kent tarihi, siyasi tarih ve sanat tarihi bakımlarından önemlerinin ortaya konulması, çalışmanın başlıca amacı olmuştur. Kitabelerden ilki Sivrihisar’da Şeyh Baba Yusuf (halk arasında bilinen adıyla Kurşunlu) Camii bahçesinde toprak altında bulunmuştur. Kitabe, Hoca İbrahim b. Hoca Osman’ın 744 (1343-44) senesinde yaptırdığı ve imaret kelimesi ile işaret edilmiş bir mescid yapısından bahsetmektedir. İkinci kitabe ise Ebu Bekr (veya Ulu Bey) bin Balaguş’un 726 (1325-26) senesinde yaptırdığı bir mescidden haber vermektedir. Sivrihisar’ın 1325/26 ve 1343/44 gibi oldukça erken zamanlarına şahitlik ettiği anlaşılan kitabeler, Osmanlı Devleti’nin erken hatta neredeyse kuruluş dönemine yani -belge ve bilgi eksikliği nedeniyle- en az bilinen dönemine işaret etmeleri bakımından son derece önemli bir yere oturmaktadır. Bu dönemden günümüze ulaşabilmiş mimari eserlerin sayıca azlığı da göz önünde bulundurulduğunda; günümüze ulaşamamış bilinmeyen iki mimari eserden ve bâni isimlerinden haber veren bu kitabelerin konu edildiği çalışmanın, Sivrihisar kent tarihi, siyasi tarihi ve sanat tarihi alanlarında yapılacak araştırmalarla bir arada değerlendirileceği ve yeni verilere ulaşılabileceği düşünülmektedir.
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