Waqf Inscription of Umur Beg: A Study on Inspiration and Context

Abstract

The waqf inscription located at the mosque that was built by Umur Bey, is one of the earliest serious attempts in Ottoman cultural world, representing daily Turkish spoken by common people have been transferred from paper to public space. Umur Bey was influenced and inspired by the commisioner of the Turkish waqf inscription in Kütahya, Germiyanoğlu II. Yakup, an intellectual member of governor elite, whom he knew for several years. Umur Bey’s preference of Turkish language, whom was a part of the Turkish elite that lost its prestige among Ottoman bureau-cracy, does not only show the significance he gives to his mother tongue but also points out the fact that he was worried that the majority of the public was unable to understand Arabic and that the text could be easily understood. Announcement of the waqfiya [the deed of the endowment] in the public space, coincides with the land reform of Sultan Mehmed II, anticipating nationalization of the landed properties, that are foundations’ main sources of income. This gives an impression that Umur Bey gives a reaction to this land reform, by proclaiming his devoted territory.