An Overview of Türkiye Travelogues Written in Urdu and the First Urdu Travelogue About Türkiye: Aina-i Frang

Abstract

Travelogues are not only a genre in literature but are also closely related to many branches of science. Travelogues written as a result of travels made for commercial, political, and cultural reasons undoubtedly contain historicalinformation about the period in which they were written. Istanbul is one of the cities about which hundreds of travelogues have been written. The city has hosted many civilizations, has spiritual importance for Christians and Muslims, and has attracted the attention of many civilizations from the East and the West. The number of travelers increased in the Indian subcontinent, especially after the increase in seafaring travel. Some travelers came to İstanbul on the way back from their trips to Europe, others came after seeing Islamic countries such as Egypt and Damascus, and others still came to see Istanbul in particular. They first published their experiences and observations in newspapers before publishing them as travelogues. Nawab Mohammad Umar Ali Khan came to Istanbul on his return from Europe, stayed there for four days, and wrote a travelogue about Istanbul and the other cities and countries he had visited. This travelogue, titled Aina-i Frang, was published in 1885 and is the first travelogue written in Urdu about Turks. It also contains general information about Istanbul, in addition to general information about the Turkish islands he had seen during his voyage by ship, as well as about İzmir and Çanakkale.

Keywords

• aina-i frang
• mohammad omar ali khan
• urdu travelogue
• istanbul
• indian subcontinent