Vartan Pasha (1816-1879) and Armeno-Turkish literature

This study focuses on the life and works of Vartan Pasha [Hovsep Vartanyan (1816-1879)] in general. Vartan Pasha's fame stems from his books and periodicals in Armeno-Turkish. However, there is very limited information about his life in the literature. The first part of the thesis attempts to construct a biography of Vartan Pasha in the context of his youth, education, family and civil service. As an Armenian and a Catholic, his position within the nation is touched upon. The qualities and achievements of Vartan Pasha that enabled him to rise through the ranks of the state and become one of the first non-Muslim pashas of the Ottoman Empire are emphasized. In the second chapter of the thesis, Vartan Pasha published most of his works in this method, Armeno-Turkish phenomenon is outlined, and his publishing activities are described. Between 1826 and 1830, Vartan Pasha received a good education at the Vienna Mkhitarian Monastery, which was available to few at that time. When he returned to Istanbul, he continued to improve himself. In 1838, with the help of the languages he knew and his mother Gelincikci Meryem, the palace doctor, he started his civil service career. In 1857, he was promoted to the rank of miralay and given the title of pasha. Although he was known as an interpreter, it is understood that he served as an important diplomat in many relations with European states. He also contributed to the drafting of many Ottoman laws and regulations. After a period of absence from state duties, from 1867 onwards he served as a member of the high courts and in other prestigious positions. In the fierce Hasunist-Antihasunist debates within the Catholic Nation in the 19th century, he endeavored to reconcile the parties and find a middle way. He also became one of the most important figures of the Armeno-Turkish press. In 1852, in the first issue of the first Armeno-Turkish and Turkish periodical, he declared that he had set out to serve his compatriots who knew no other language but Turkish. And for a long time he strived to fulfill this promise.