the Travel Journal of Ali Bey
Illustrations for a new edition of “Travel Journal,” the book documenting Director Ali Bey’s travels from 1885 to 1888, depict his observations and experiences during his official journey. Departing from Istanbul in 1885, Director Ali Bey traveled to Iskenderun by sea, then proceeded to various destinations for official duties before returning to Istanbul via India and Egypt.
The travelogue contains insights into social life across different regions of the Ottoman Empire.
Particularly noteworthy is the days-long journey on the Tigris River aboard a traditional vessel called a “kelek.”
The work extensively covers Baghdad of that era, offering detailed descriptions of its urban layout, economy, customs, and climate.
Director Ali Bey visited and recorded notes on numerous settlements during his journey, including Midilli, Ayvalık, İzmir, Rhodes, Mersin, Iskenderun, Aleppo, Kilis, Gaziantep, Birecik, Siverek, Diyarbakır, Siirt, Bitlis, Mus, Tatvan, Mardin, Cizre, Mosul, Baghdad, Karbala, Hillah, Kufa, Najaf, Basra, Karachi, Bombay, Suez, Cairo, and Alexandria.
©2022
Cihan Kılıç 
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