Taming the Messiah: The Formation of an Ottoman Political Public Sphere, 1600-1700

Aslıhan Gürbüzel's book Taming the Messiah challenges the assumptions that the ideal of public political participation originated in the West and that civic culture was introduced only with Westernization efforts in the nineteenth century. It offers a new method of studying public political life by focusing on the variety of religious visions and lifeworlds native to Ottoman society and the ways in which they were appropriated and repurposed in the pursuit of new forms of civic engagement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

In the rich tapestry of the Ottoman Empire's history, the seventeenth century stands out as a peculiar anomaly, marked by political dissent and social unrest. However, in this captivating book, Aslıhan Gürbüzel unveils a profound truth: the early modern period played a pivotal role in the emergence of novel forms of political agency that boldly challenged, negotiated with, and ultimately reshaped the Ottoman social order. By delving into the histories of these new political voices and documenting the flourishing of a robust public sphere, Gürbüzel audaciously challenges two prevailing assumptions: firstly, that the ideal of public political participation originated in the West; and secondly, that civic culture was solely introduced through Westernization efforts in the nineteenth century. Instead, Taming the Messiah presents a groundbreaking approach to studying public political life by centering on the diverse array of religious visions and lifeworlds native to Ottoman society, and exploring how they were appropriated and repurposed in the pursuit of new avenues of civic engagement.

This innovative perspective offers a fresh lens through which to understand the complexities of Ottoman society and its interactions with the broader world. By examining the ways in which religious beliefs and practices were intertwined with political aspirations, Gürbüzel sheds light on the intricate web of social, cultural, and religious dynamics that shaped the Ottoman Empire. She challenges the notion of a monolithic and uniform Ottoman society, highlighting the diversity and complexity of its inhabitants' experiences and perspectives.

Furthermore, Gürbüzel's work challenges the notion that civic culture was solely imported from the West. Instead, she demonstrates how the Ottoman Empire developed its own unique civic culture, shaped by the interplay between local traditions, Islamic principles, and European influences. This civic culture was not limited to the urban centers but extended to the rural communities as well, where local leaders and communities engaged in various forms of public political life.

Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Gürbüzel offers a rich and nuanced account of the seventeenth century in the Ottoman Empire. She sheds light on the complexities of political dissent, social conflict, and the emergence of new forms of political agency. Taming the Messiah is a valuable contribution to the field of Ottoman history, providing a fresh perspective that challenges prevailing narratives and encourages us to reimagine the Ottoman Empire's past.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 236 x 160 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520388215