Fal and magic in the Ottoman State (16-19th centuries)

The diversity of the fortune and magic in line with demand and the place of human history in the history of humanity began to work. The reasons for the emergence and the question of why they exist in every culture were sought. Fortune and magic works during the reign of the Ottoman Empire constitute our main work. These works, which are forbidden by religion, contradict with the curiosity of human beings and practices have continued. In this study, the place of these mystical works in the society and the management class has been searched from the archive sources and written sources. The approach of the sovereigns to the Ottoman Empire was not the same. Some of the fortune-telling and magic-oriented state while others are more rational approach. But what is common to all sovereigns is that this work is always important among the people. Based on archive sources, it is concluded that those who do this work have an important place in society. It is seen that they even advised some sultans. The reason for important conquests or the reason for internal appointments was again a fortune telling. It is seen that those who are engaged in this work are granted licenses, those who do this work without a license are punished or those who do not do this job properly are licensed. The importance given to the work of fortune and magic, and falnames, literary works emerged. These falnames emerged as supply and demand products. Fortune and magic works play a strategic place in the reign, which has an important place in the history scene. Since their impact on the functioning of the state and its place in the social order are of considerable importance, the functioning of these works is emphasized.