The Venues of Musical Performances in the Early Eighteenth Century and the Rûznâmes of Mahmud I (r. 1730–1754)

Year 2023, Volume: 5, 163 - 179, 31.12.2023

Hande Betül Ünal

https://doi.org/10.53979/yillik.2023.9

Abstract

The rûznâmes, daily records documenting the activities of the Ottoman sultans, remain an overlooked and underutilized source in both broader historiography and the study of Ottoman music, which is often characterized by a scarcity of written material. While not traditionally considered as musical treatises, they possess the potential to serve as valuable sources capable of providing significant insights into the musical landscape of the period in which they were written. Focusing on the musical elements provided by the rûznâmes written for Mahmud I (r. 1730–1754), this study seeks to elucidate the preferred venues for musical performance, both on a personal level for Mahmud I and within the context of the administrative elite during the early eighteenth century. By examining these records, it aims to uncover certain practices and shifting patterns over time, as well as to offer glimpses into Mahmud I’s engagement with Mevlevi rituals and practices.

Keywords

Mahmud I, rûznâme, Ottoman music, venues, eighteenth century

Thanks

This paper is produced from my master’s thesis. G. Hande Betül Ünal, “Tunes from a Sultan’s Diary: Musical Performances and Musicians in the Rûznâmes of Mahmud I (r. 1730–1754)” (master’s thesis, Sabancı University, 2021). I would like to express my gratitude to the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments, as well as to Emily C. Arauz and K. Mehmet Kentel for their kind support and suggestions throughout the publication process. Needless to say, the shortcomings are entirely my own.

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