I have lately gotten
very intrigued and impressed by this TV series Magnificent Century
(Mutesem Yuz Yil). It is a pity that the TV series is already
approaching to the end of Sultan Suleiman's reign and that my
favourite character, Hurrem Sultan has just deceased in the last
episode.
Interestingly, the
series has only caught my attention when I become aware of the fact
that it has attracted myriad foreign fans who wax lyrical about this
series; from the arabic speaking countries, The Balkans and Eastern
Europe. Naturally, as this part of Ottoman history is closely
related to this region.
My first impression
before knowing how much educational information this TV series has to
offer about the Ottoman Empire (with variations of course, albeit
useful), was the beautifully designed Ottoman style apparels,
especially those for women. Secondly, the appearance of familiar
sights in Istanbul coming to light every now and then gives me a
different feelings towards some artistic achitectures such as the
Hagia Sophia and the Suleimaniye Mosque. The most importantly
though, this TV series made me understand why the sparkling history
of Ottoman Empire remains the biggest pride in the hearts of all
Turks – with its ever expanding terrain, cultivating culture,
replete national treasury account.
I also become
acutely aware that the Ottomans are very welcoming to foreign
culture, at least on the royal level. Hurrem Sultan, originally a
captured slave by the Tartar, sold from Poland (today's Western
Ukraine) to Crimea and then to the Ottoman palace to be one of the
consort amongst many, eventually ascended to be the legal wife of the
Sultan; Pargali Ibrahim Pasha, originally a Venezian, captured and
sold to the Topkapi palace by pirates, became the closest advisor of
Suleiman Sultan as well as the grand vizier to the Ottoman Empire.
This trait is also largely depicted in its policy towards non-Islamic
nations in the conquested lands – with more than 80% Christians in
the Ottoman Europe, the empire introduced National system (“Millet”)
and portrayed itself as the protectors of multiple nations, where all
nations are allowed to practice its own religion and implement rules
accordingly. This high level of freedom and pluralism was far more
advanced in comparison to the European counterparts who remained
struggling with religious persecution right up to 1900s.
Knowing more about
history. I have the inclination to believe that together with
hardwork and right policies, a country with such shimmering and
majestic history will be again on the rising and achieve comparable
level of success in the near future. Development in Turkey in the
past decade is persuasive and convincing. Discussing on a very
non-academic level, with personal experience as a “yabanci”
(foreigner), I see vast changes in open economy, increased import /
export and the elevated level of interest towards foreign culture. I
am looking forward to more positive development there is to come,
with optimism.
1 May 2014, Ankara
1 May 2014, Ankara
