The Naqshi-Khalidi Order in Bitlis (1850-2024)

This study, titled "The Naqshi-Khalidi Order in Bitlis (1850-2024)" examines the historical process of the Khalidi branch of the Naqshbandi order, from its arrival in the Bitlis province to its current structure. It investigates the influence of the Naqshbandi-Khalidi Sufi tradition on the religious, social, and political dynamics in the region, considering the provincial boundaries of the city during both the Ottoman and Republican periods, starting from the first half of the 19th century when traces of the order began to be seen in Bitlis. Focusing on the Sufi life of Bitlis, one of the cultural, educational, and religious centers of Eastern Anatolia, the study offers a perspective on how the contributions of Sufism and orders have shaped the city's socio-cultural fabric and how these contributions have evolved over time. The study also explores the order's locations in Bitlis, its prominent figures, their reactions to social and political events, and the outcomes of these events. Aiming to provide significant contributions to the history of Sufism and religious orders, this research analyzes the role and changing dynamics of the Naqshbandi-Khalidi order in Bitlis through field studies, archival documents, literature review, and the analysis of information, findings, and documents obtained from oral and written sources. Keywords: History of Sufism, Bitlis, Order, Naqshbadiyya, Khalidiyya