Şehdi Divanı

The real name of Şehdì, the representative of 18th century Divan Literature, is Osman. He was from Akova, Sarajevo. His date of birth is not exactly known. Besides some other positions, he worked as Sergeant?s clerk, controller, Bender Army Chamberlain. After Mustafa III acceded to the throne, Şehdì went to Russia as an ambassador. All sources specify the importance of Osman Şehdì Ephendi?s position. After he completed his service in the Bender Army he died.Although we don?t know much about Osman Şehdì Ephendi?s family and private life, we know that his son is the poet HÀtem of Akova who also took place in some important government positions like his father. In the works of his century, there is more information about his son rather than him.Only two works of him are discovered. Both of them are very important for our literature and history. After Mustafa III acceded to the throne, Osman Şehdì Ephendi wrote Ambassador Account of Russia (Rusya Sefaretnamesi) and Divan. In Ambassador Account of Russia which is written between 1757 and 1758, the poet describes Petersburg in detail and utters his suffers after he tells about his travels and route.More than half of his Divan is composed of historical poems. He is also known as a poet who is an eìpert in calculating ?ebced? (calculation of a date or other number by adding up the numerical values of Arabic letters use to indicate words in a piece of writing). Consequently, it is understood that Şehdì is a good observer who tries to bring out his age at all points and closely observes sultans and viziers.He has 159 poems in his Divan.The distribition of his poems is; 39 Kaside (%24), 28 Gazel (%18),68 Kıt'a (%42), 20 Mesnevi (12), 1 Terkìb-i bend (%0.6), 2 Terci-i bend (%1) 1 MüstezÀd (%0.6), 2 musarraaè beyit. There is 1 manuscript of his Divan in Süleymaniye library.Key words:1)Şehdì2)Divan3)Sefaretname4)History5)HÀtem6)18th century.