The Sultan and His PeopleOscanyan, C. (Christopher)
History
The Sultan and His People
Oscanyan, C. (Christopher)
Turkey -- Description and travel; Turkey -- Social life and customs
Even the humblest Mohammedan will appropriate to himself the best
position in a public conveyance, or in any promiscuous assembly,
considering himself as fully entitled to such privileges, by the
simple guarantee of his faith, which elevates him above all humanity.
In the medical school, where some of the scholars belong to the
families of the rayas, this Mussulman conceit is most evident, and
even tolerated and encouraged by the government at the present day;
for regardless of actual merit, it has hitherto been a principle with
the faculty always to place a Mussulman boy at the head of the class!
It may be a matter of wonder to see such bigoted characters adopting
the very garb of the contemptible giavours. But the change of costume
was effected by the invincible Mahmoud, who, to liberate his people
from the thraldom of the janissaries, and the superstitions of darker
ages, feared neither priest or Koran, and at all hazards resolved to
make a daring stride towards civilization and reform.
Therefore this change of costume was not effected through any
relaxation of religious bigotry, but by the force of the supreme power
of the sultan; and the Ulema themselves were obliged to compromise,
by wearing a fez, with a simple turban around it, with some other
slight modification of their flowing robes.
Reform in dress having become an essential principle of the government,
those connected with the court and all public officers, were obliged
to conform to the established style, and the young élégans of Stamboul
now vie with the Parisian exquisites in their recherchées toilettes.
But beyond the circle of court etiquette and fashion, the artisans
and peasants still preserve all the varieties of costumes identified
with Orientalism.
Religious fanaticism in the East, is not confined to the Mussulmans
alone. It seems to have a universal sway in this climate, pervading
every community.
The Mussulman would feel callous at the sight of the decapitation of
a Christian, and a Christian would experience a secret exultation at
the death of a Mussulman.
Some years ago, I had the misfortune to meet with an accident;
my carriage was lost in the Bosphorus, and my horse and hostler
were drowned. Near the spot of this occurrence, there was a Greek
coaster lying at anchor, and the sailors soon came to my call for
assistance; but perceiving that the drowning man was dressed in
Turkish costume, and taking him for a Mussulman, they instinctively
exclaimed, Tourkos eine, Tourkos eine, he is a Turk, he is a Turk,
left him to his sad fate. It was in vain that I proclaimed that he
was a Greek and co-religionist of their own.
The Mussulman is fanatical, because he has thereby been goaded on
to victory, and attributes all his successes to the banner of the
Prophet--and the Christian is bigoted, because his religion is the
only thing left him--his church is the cradle of his superstitions,
and the badge of his nationality.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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