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Ali Ekber HitaiAn early 16th century Ottoman traveler in China
Country:
 Turkey |
Content:
- Ali Ekber: Early 16th-Century Ottoman Traveler to China
- "Khatay-name: Book of China"
- Possible Motives for His Visit
- Gifts from the Chinese Emperor
- Publication and Translation of "Khatay-name"
- Systematic Description of China
- Impact and Legacy
Ali Ekber: Early 16th-Century Ottoman Traveler to China
Arrival in ChinaAli Ekber, an Ottoman traveler of the early 16th century, visited China during the reign of Emperor Zhu Houzhao (1505-1506). He spent over two and a half years in the Ming Empire.
"Khatay-name: Book of China"
Ali Ekber is renowned for his literary work, "Khatay-name" (Book of China), written in Persian and published in Istanbul in 1520. It is a comprehensive account of his experiences in China.
Possible Motives for His Visit
Ali Ekber's motivations for visiting China are uncertain. Some scholars believe he was a Shia Muslim seeking to demonstrate the utility of Shia during a period of persecution. Others speculate that he was commissioned by Sultan Selim I or traveled as a merchant.
Gifts from the Chinese Emperor
Ali Ekber brought two Chinese vases with Arabic inscriptions as gifts from the Chinese emperor. These vases are currently displayed in Topkapi Palace.
Publication and Translation of "Khatay-name"
Ali Ekber completed "Khatay-name" in 1516, and it was published in Istanbul in 1520. An Ottoman Turkish translation appeared around 1582.
Systematic Description of China
"Khatay-name" is unique among travelogues of the time. Instead of recounting a journey, it offers a systematic description of China, covering topics such as roads, cities, military, trade, and administration.
Impact and Legacy
The accuracy of Ali Ekber's accounts has been corroborated by later research. His book influenced other Ottoman writers, including Evliya Çelebi and Ebu Bekr Bedram ad-Din al-Damashqi. However, Sultan Selim I refrained from conquering China on the basis of unverified information.
