Eyüp Karyağdı Baba Bektashi Lodge’s Tombstones

Abstract

In this study, Bektashi graves and tombstones from the Ottoman period located in the Karyağdı Baba Tekke have been examined and evaluated from the perspective of Art History. The tekke in question was founded by Karyağdı Ali Baba and the cemetery is located in the northeast corner of the tekke. As a result of the examinations, 35 headstones and 13 footstones were identified on the tombstones, along with 15 inscriptions on the tombstones and fragments. Among the headstones, 12 standing and 12 lying ones were found in the cemetery area, while the remaining 11 were found in fragments in the excavation area and the courtyard of the tekke. Similarly, 10 of the footstones are located in the cemetery area, while 3 are found in the excavation area. Some of the headpieces and footstones on the ground were unearthed during excavations carried out by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Other stones included in the research are broken headpieces found within the Lodge’s courtyard during fieldwork conducted for the article. There are a total of 12 graves in the cemetery, with 2 being female graves and 10 being male graves. Outside the cemetery, there are 4 female headstones. Of the 23 headstones found outside the cemetery in the excavation area and within the tekke boundaries, many could not be read due to damage. According to the inscriptions that could be read, 3 are male graves and 3 are female graves. This distinction is made not only based on the readable names but also by considering specific expressions on certain tombstones. As far as can be deciphered from these 23 broken and worn headstones, one grave dates back to the year 1671, while most of the others belong to the period from the early 19th century to the early 20th century. During the research, 9 headpiece inscriptions were found on tombstones, 4 headpiece inscriptions were on the ground within the burial ground, and 2 headpiece inscriptions were found within the walls of the burial ground. While the 9 headpiece inscriptions on graves and the 4 in the burial ground area resemble Bektashi headpieces, the 2 found within the wall differ. Out of the 12 graves, 9 have headpieces, while 2 cylindrical graves lack headpieces, and one has a vegetal crown. Additionally, the relief commonly found on Sufi graves, known as “headpiece relief,” appears on 2 graves: one with a cylindrical crown and another with a fez crown. The majority of the initial expressions on the tombstones are predominantly seen on Bektashi tombstones, such as “Hu, Hu Dost, Allah Hu,” whereas expressions commonly found on other Ottoman tombstones, like “Hüvel Baki, Hüvel Hallakul Baki,” appear on the tombstones outside the burial ground. In this study, graves were examined in terms of titles, title protrusions, profession information, tekke information, introductory expressions, expressions related to Bektashism, dates, form, ornamentation, and design, aiming to shed light on other researchers and to introduce this tekke, which holds great importance for Bektashi culture, as unique documents.