The divan of Askeri (text-analysis)

In our study as understood from Persian and Turkish poems the divan of Askerî who was one of the Ottoman poets of XVIth century, the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, has been studied and the text has been critically edited. We have prepared edition critique of the work, upon its only manuscript in the Carullah part of the Suleymaniye Library. In the 36 sheet-arranged divan of Askeri that does not have a large volume, between the sheets of 1b-33b there are 1 qasida, 94 ghazals, 2 quatrians, a saqinama of 122 couplets in Persian respectively and between the sheets of 33b-36b there are 8 Chagatai poems. There is almost no information about his life in the sources. However, his Persian and Turkish poems give us some clues about his life and poetry. According to these tips Askeri probably came to Istanbul to see and serve the sultan from Central Asia during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. He stayed in Istanbul for a while and arranged this divan to be presented to the sultan. He also states in his poems that he saw Suleiman the Magnificent too. Although some poets with Askeri names appeared in the sources of Ottoman poetry, there are some important reasons that make us think Askeri named poet who is subject of our study and Askeri named poets in the sources are different people. These reasons are discussed in detail in our study. When Askeri's diwan examined, it is observed that he uses many elements of divan poetry skillfully in her poems. The inner rhymes and artistic expressions that draw attention in his fluent style ghazels make us feel that he is a successful 16th century Ottoman poet. Our study consists an introduction and four sections. The first section is about the political and the literal situation of the era that Askeri lived; the second section is about Askeri's life and literary personality; the third section is the Divan of Askeri (analysis-translation); the fourth and the final section consists of edition critique text of Askerî's divan.