Poet Baki, also known as Mahmud AbdulBaki, stands as a towering figure in the rich tapestry of Ottoman literature. Renowned for his eloquent and expressive poetry, Baki’s works have left an indelible mark on the cultural and literary heritage of the Ottoman Empire. Born in 1526 in Istanbul, Baki’s journey from a humble background to becoming the Sultan of Poets is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication. In this article, we explore the extra history of Poet Baki, shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of his life and contributions to Ottoman poetry.
Baki’s poetry is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and profound themes, often reflecting the socio-political landscape of his time. His mastery of the Turkish language and his ability to weave intricate metaphors and imagery have earned him a revered place among the great poets of the Ottoman era. By delving into the extra history of Poet Baki, we uncover the influences that shaped his work, his interactions with contemporary poets and patrons, and the enduring legacy of his literary achievements.
Who is the poet Baki? The life of the poet Baki (Mahmud Abdulbâkî), who is known as “Sultanü’ş Şuara”, which means “Sultan of Poets”.
Bâkî, the artist of the lines “Let the Âvâzeyi into this world like Davud/He is a great sadâ in this arch that remaining parts” , which is rehashed like a saying today, is viewed as perhaps the best writer of Turkish writing.
Mahmud Abdülbâkî is known by the title “Sultanü’ş Şuarâ” , which means “Sultan of Poets” , who brought many innovations to poetry in terms of form and content in Divan Literature .
Bâkî, who is the poet of the lines “Save the Âvâzeyi to this world like Davud / It is a nice sada in this dome that remains”, which is in the language of people today and is constantly read, gotten numerous advancements to verse terms of structure and content in the Ottoman Divan Literature, and that signifies “King of Poets” when he was He gotten the title of “Sultanü’ş Şuara” .
The Life Of Poet Baki :
The poet, whose real name is Mahmud Abdülbâkî, is the shining star of divan literature. He was born in Istanbul in 1526, as the son of Mehmed Efendi, one of the muezzins of Fatih Mosque.
Bâkî, who lit oil lamps in the mosque when he was a child, has been listed as “a saddler’s apprentice” in many literary sources, but after the latest research, it was deemed appropriate to include “sarac” as “siracî”, since opinions were put forward that it should be “sirac”.
Bâkî took lessons from the famous teachers of the period on madrasah education. One of the scholars of the period, Kadızâde Ahmet Şemseddin Efendi, who noticed the talent of young Bâkî for poetry, was remembered as the master who gave the greatest support in poetry.
Bâkî, who started his education in the madrasa due to his love of reading books, took lessons from the famous professors of his time, Karamanlı Ahmed and Mehmed Efendi, and met many famous men of letters in the process.
While Bâkî’s “Sumbul Kasidesi”, which he composed for his lord Mehmed Efendi, expanded his standing, he managed to attract the attention of Zâtî, one of the famous poets of the period. Bâkî, who became known as a famous poet at the age of 18-19, continued the lessons of Ahmed Şemseddin Efendi at the Süleymaniye Madrasa.
Extra History of Poet Baki :
Bâkî, who managed to enter the palace circles with the ode he presented to Suleiman the Magnificent, who returned from the Nakhchivan campaign in 1555, accompanied his teacher Ahmed Şemseddin Efendi, who was sent to Aleppo as a judge, and went to Aleppo. Bâkî, who met Şeyhülislam Ebussuud Efendi on his return to Istanbul in 1560, was protected by the 4 sultans and state dignitaries he lived during his time, and received the greatest support from the 10th sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent.
Bâkî turned out to be more known thanks to his “Legal Elegy” by composing rhymes on the sonnets of Suleiman the Magnificent and expressing his sadness over the death of Suleiman the Magnificent. This distress of the divan poet, who fell into trouble from time to time after the death of Kanuni, did not prevent him from rising in his professional life.
The master poet, who came under the protection of Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pasha during the reign of Sultan Selim II, began to be invited to palace meetings and managed to maintain his position during the reign of Murad III and became the Mudarri of Süleymaniye.
Bâkî, who performed the duties of Kadılik, Sahn and Süleymaniye professorship in 1573, as judge of Mecca, Medina and Istanbul between 1578-1585, as a judge of Mecca, Medina and Istanbul in 1585-1590, twice in Anatolia in 1591, 1595 and 1597, and three times in the years of 1597 and 1597. His greatest wish was to become a sheikh al-Islam, but he died in Istanbul in 1600 before he could reach this office.
The Poet Baki’s Personality And Poems :
While it is mentioned in the sources that Bâkî, who lived in the most glorious times of the Ottoman World State, was attached to delight and amusement, had a merry, charming discussion and an aggressive character separated from his affection for verse and writing, the poet, who was also famous for his satires, was a judge despite his freedom and unlimitedness in his private life. He was noted for his love of justice.
Bâkî, who gave importance to worldly love rather than sufism in his poems, did not write religious poems in his poems, although he wanted to become a sheikh al-Islam. Bâkî, who did not include religious content such as tawhid, munacaat and na’t in his Divan, used a sincere and understated expression in his elegies, eulogies and fahriyes.
Mahmud Abdülbâkî adhered to the traditions in literature, but by bringing a new order and fluency to the language of poetry, he developed his verse technique and became the name that masterfully managed to get rid of the verse flaws that many great poets saw as “inevitable”. The poet, who talks about nature and social life in his poems, did not neglect to carry the traces of the daily life of Istanbul by describing the social life.
Choosing a simpler and more understandable language than contemporary poets, “Sultanü’ş Şuarâ Bâkî” made innovations in the style of utterance as well as the subjects in his poems, which are described as perfect in terms of form. The master poet, who performed the meter with mastery, minimized the hints and obscenity, and decorated his poetry with literary arts, especially with elegant dreams, wit and twist. The renowned writer, who passed every one of these on to his perusers through his sonnets, brought the power and solace of articulation to Divan verse.
Works Of Poet Baki :
Sultanü’ş Şuarâ Bâkî, who adorned his works with artistic refinements and beauties of imagination, suitable for the taste of the 16th century Ottoman society, used folk idioms and expressions in his poems as well as a clear and clean Istanbul dialect.
While this divan of the poet, who prepared his divan during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, does not include his poems, in his divan, which does not have a petition or na’t at the beginning, there are 27 eulogies, 2 compound-i bend, 1 terci-i bend, 7 tahmis, 619 ghazals, 24 stanzas, a history and 38 curriculum was included.
Bâkî, who has translations and works on religious issues, went down in history as his most important work with 4 thousand 508 couplets.
This work of Bâkî was followed by his works called Fezâ’ilü’l-Cihad, Fezâil’i-Mekke, Hadis-i Erbain Translation and Kanuni Election.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the extra history of Poet Baki (Mahmud AbdulBaki) reveals a poet whose works transcended the boundaries of his era, leaving a lasting impact on Ottoman literature. His journey from modest beginnings to literary prominence is a source of inspiration, highlighting the power of talent and perseverance. As we reflect on his contributions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural and literary richness of the Ottoman Empire and the pivotal role Baki played in its poetic tradition.