AHMET MIDHAT EFENDI'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESS IN THE PERIOD OF TANZIMAT: PERIODICAL DAĞARCIK

Abstract

This study about the periodical Dağarcık published by Ahmet Midhat Efendi between 18721873 discusses the status of the periodical in the Ottoman press and history of thought. Although short-lived, Dağarcık affects the Ottoman press significantly. Reflecting the eclectic and encyclopedist mindset of the Tanzimat period, the periodical involves original and translated works on various subjects. The issues addressed are vulgarised and conveyed to the reader in a simple and plain language understandable by the common people. Most of the works in Dağarcık belong to Ahmet Midhat Efendi. The periodical also includes the translations by Recaizade Mahmud Ekrem and his original works, various letters and works by readers. The ideas and issues discussed in these works, which are the examples of Ahmet Midhat Efendi's early writing life, are considered to be the source of the later works of the author. Both his fictional and intellectual works deal with the same issues and themes by developing or diversifying them. Ahmet Midhat Efendi has been the target of heavy criticism and accusations by some people from the religious community in particular as he touched upon topics that was regarded strange at that time, such as the theory of evolution. He published his works defending his views by grounding them upon religious principles against the reactions in the same periodical. Publication of Dağarcık is stopped after its tenth issue on the grounds that it has been published without the permission of the Council of Education.