Mavi Atlas

Öz

This study focuses on the letters written by
Akif Pasha- one of the most significant statesmen in the 19th century Ottoman
history - after being exiled to Edirne and Bursa. Akif Pasha, who took his
place in history as the first minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Internal Affairs established in accordance with the arrangements made by Sultan
Mahmud II. in the central organization, lost this prestigious position after a
while. As a matter of fact, during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid, Pasha was
exiled to Edirne in 1840. After completing his sentence of approximately two
years, he was forced to reside in Bursa. Akif Pasha, who carried out a series
of activities before the Palace and Sublime Porte in order to be forgiven,
continued his relations with his relatives by correspondence. Seven of the
letters were sent to his son and one of the letters were sent to his wife with
the titles of mahdumuna and halilesine respectively, along with some
written to other relatives. Most of these were published by Ebuzziya Tevfik in Muharrerât-ı
Husûsiye-i Akif Paşa and some by
his grandson Akif Bey in Eser-i Akif Paşa. The most notable point in the
letters is that the Pasha had skillfully expressed his state of mind. In the
letters, which include some familial information, there is information about
how Pasha passed from Edirne to Bursa and the time he spent there.