Gurcistan Province Register Document as a Source for Research the History of Georgian and the Ottoman Empire

Abstract

The Gurcistan Province Registers Document (Gurcistan Province Registers Document, I-III, 1941, 1947, 1959) was established in 1595 during the reign of Mehmed the 3rd for the conquered South-Eastern parts of Georgia. The document comes in several parts and consists of the Turkish texts, their translations, and the research itself. The researchers found the translation of the Ottoman texts to the Georgian language quite difficult because the document is written using Siyakat handwriting which is very complicated to read. Siyakat handwriting was invented specifically for the purposes of protecting secret documents, for making these documents quickly, and for their support. Syakat writing was originally invented in Abbasid Iran and later it spread to Anatolia. In the 15th century, Siyakat writings are found in the administrative and financial documents of Ottoman Empire. This handwriting was later refined by Katibs of Mehmed 3rd (the conqueror) – Husami Rumi and Tajizade Jafer Chelebi. Not only is Siyakat writing is prominent for its originality, it also has distinctive writing manners for specific periods in history.