Abstract
In order to escape from persecution and to take advantage of potential opportunities, some individuals or groups fled from Iran in different times of history. As a result of this, since the principality times, number of Iranians resident in the Ottoman territories became “probably” more than people from other lands, and they became an active community in Istanbul towards the end of the nineteenth century. In these years, surrounding area of the Büyük Valide Han in Eminönü, where many Iranians were living and working, seemed like “Little Iran”. Most of the Iranians in this neighborhood were engaged in trade or worked for traders. However, with the arrival of Jamaleddin Afghani (Esadabadi) and other intellectuals and exiles, an intellectual revival began and a dissedent Iranian population arised in the city. Right after that, Iranians also started to publish newspapers and magazines in Persian. Their newspaper Akhtar, published between 1876 and 1896, turned into one of the strongest voices from abroad against the Qajar administration. In the meantime, their life in solidarity was in conformity with the descriptions and features made and listed by the prominent names of diaspora literature. In other words, the Iranians lived like a diaspora member in Istanbul. Besides, by mixing with the administrators and subjects of the Empire, their existence contributed to the improvement of trade, mutual cultural exchange and breaking down prejudices.