Uncovering Historical Figures: Osman Bayındır Bey and Deniz Hamzaoglu’s Age
Title: Unveiling the Legacy of Bayındır Bey: A Historical Figure Worth Exploring
Date: 14th June 2023, 19:31
Many individuals have come across the name Bayındır in books, TV series, and movies, prompting curiosity about its significance in history. Who exactly is Bayındır, and what role did he play in shaping the past?
Bayındır Bey, also known as Bayındır Bay, holds a prominent position in history. He is renowned as the grandson of Uzun Hasan, the ruler of the Akkoyunlu tribe, and the son of Rüstem Bey. Bayındır Cupola, with its remarkable architectural structure, has become an iconic symbol of Ahlat.
According to Turkish legends, Bayındır Han is described as a legendary khan and also known as Bayundur Han. In the stories of Korkut Ata (Dede Korkut), he is hailed as the Khan of Khans. Bayındır Khan, every year, would organize grand feasts and provide food and drink for the people he ruled. Given the meaning of his name, it is likely that he was a leader who maintained peace, development, and promoted civilization. The title “Bayındır” might have been bestowed upon him for these achievements.
Historical references such as Dîvânü lugāti’t-Türk by Kaşgarlı Mahmud mention Bayundur in the third place, along with the depiction of his stamp. Bayındırlar is also featured in Fahreddin Mübârekşah’s list, and Reshidüddin describes the name as meaning “the place that is always full of blessings.” He further states that Bayındır was the first tribe of the Üçok branch of the Oğuzlar. The tribe’s onk, or chief, was sungur, and during feasts, they would consume the “left snowfall” (left scapula) part of a sheep. The most authentic representation of the Bayındır stamp can be found in Yazıcızâde Ali Efendi’s work (Târîh-i Âl-i Selçûk, vr. 21a-24b).
Bayındırlar played a crucial role in the pre-Islamic history of the Oghuz tribes. Memories from the 14th to the 19th century point to their significance, especially Tülü Hoca Bayındır, who was one of the chiefs of Dip Yavku (Yabgu), one of the first rulers of the Oghuz. The regency of Köl Erkin, Kayı İnal Han’s son-in-law, further highlights the important role played by Bayındırlar. Köl Erkin governed the Oghuz hand for thirty-two years as a naib or regent. The existence of Bayındır Khan at the beginning of the Oghuzes in the Dede Korkut epics suggests the later inclusion of Bayındır Han in the epics to glorify the Akkoyunlu dynasty, although the identification of his father as Kam Gan remains unexplained.
In the cadastral registers of the 15th and 16th centuries, fifty-two villages and hamlets were named Bayındır. These place names, located in central and western Anatolia, depict Bayındırlar’s role in establishing Anatolia as a Turkish homeland during the Seljuk period. Additionally, there were numerous tribes sharing the name Bayındır during this time, including those in Tarsus and Aleppo. The Bayındır tribe residing in the Tarsus region formed a part of the Ulaş tribe and had a population of over 4,000 in 1519. The Bayındır tribe living among the Aleppo Turkmens comprised 250 tents in 1570. Another branch inhabited the Yeni Province region, south of Sivas, and eventually settled in Raqqa alongside various Turkmen tribes. Among these settlers was Halid Bey, the head of the Bayındır tribe, who demonstrated bravery in wars alongside Arab tribes. During the 16th century, Bayındırlar migrated to Antep, where they established villages. In Syria’s Çoban Beyli village, the tribe named Khalid after their chief, Halid Bey, remained. Another branch of Bayındırlar did not migrate westward and settled among the Trans-Caspian Turkmens, belonging to the Göklen community, now located in Iran.
Bayındırlar’s most significant contribution to Turkish history came with their involvement in the conquest and settlement of Anatolia, and subsequently, in establishing the Akkoyunlu State. As a result, the Akkoyunlu dynasty is referred to as Bayındırlu in Turkish sources and Bayındıriyye in Persian works. The members of the Akkoyunlu dynasty took immense pride in being the grandchildren of Bayındır Khan, with the Bayındır tribe’s stamp serving as the official symbol of their state. This stamp adorned Akkoyunlu coins, official documents, weapons, and flags. Due to Bayındır Han’s legacy, the name Bayındır became widely used as a personal name as well.
Exploring the history of Bayındır Bey opens up a fascinating world of cultures, battles, and achievements. This historical figure has left an indelible mark on Turkish history and continues to capture the imagination of people today.
