Transcription and evaluation of the Nâme-i Hümâyûn Notebook No.6 (Pp.1-150)

As is known, the Ottoman Empire reigned over a wide geographical area for more than six centuries. This situation naturally caused the Empire to enter into direct or indirect diplomatic relations with many states. Diplomatic relations were established not only with the states outside its dominion but also with many regional rulers under its dominance. As a result of these diplomatic relations, the Nâme-i Humayun Books came into existence. There are a total of 18 Nâme-i Hümâyûn Books found in the Ottoman Archives. These books are very significant in terms of bringing to light diplomatic relations with the European states, Russia, Turkestan Khanates, North African countries, Middle Eastern countries, and Balkan states. The Nâme-i Hümâyûn Book No. 6 contains the correspondence between the Ottoman Empire and foreign states and the rulers of the regions subjected to the Ottoman Empire between the years of 1115-1133 Hegira / 1703-1721 Gregorian. There are copies of nâme-i hümâyûn, letters, Nişan-ı Hümâyûn (Ottoman engagement celebration), title deeds, banknotes in the book, and the book consists of 509 pages in total. Our study covers the letters between pages 1-150 of the book. In the book, there are letters in Persian received from the Uzbek khan and letters written by the Ottoman sultan to the Uzbek khan, letters in Persian from Iran, as well as letters in Arabic written to the Emirate of Mecca. In the book, there are copies of the letters sent to the Khan of Crimea, the czar of Moscow, the sharif of Mecca, the king of France, the czar of Nemce (Ottoman expression for Austria), the Venetian doge, the Queen of England, the Uzbek khans, the king of Poland, the Khan of Khwarezm, the Khan of Kalmuk, as well as the letters received from and sent to the Shah-i Acem countries. In the part that forms our study, there are "hatt-ı şerifl"s written to the viziers and the hearth landowners (aghas) and two attachments. One of these attachments is a letter written in Arabic dated 1917. The other attachment is the document that begins with the prayer and includes the items in the Hırka-ı Şerif which belong to the Prophet Muhammad. The contents of the correspondence with these states varies according to the addressee state, but in general, the subjects such as the notification of the cülûs-ı hümâyûn declaration (declaration that the sultan ascended the throne in the Ottoman Empire), the protection of the traders, and rayah, and accreditation of ambassadors. For instance, letters were written to the czar of Moscow regarding compliance with the agreements made, wishing for the continuance of friendship, the change of khanate in Crimea, the protection of borders, and to the Emirate of Mecca regarding the protection of pilgrims and pilgrimage routes, the Surre-i Humâyûn, and the changes of orders. The purpose of our study is to understand the diplomatic tradition and methods of the period and to make an evaluation in light of diplomacy of Ottoman Empire the information obtained from the letters in the book. In this regard, the foreign policy followed during the rule of Sultan Ahmed III, the period in which the letters found in the Nâme-i Hümâyûn book No. 6 belong, and its repercussions on domestic politics were discussed. While doing so, in addition to the information provided by the letters, recent research was also benefited. Keywords: Nâme-i Hümâyûn, Ottoman Empire, Ahmed III, Diplomatika, Archive, Diplomacy.