GELiBOLULU MUSTAFA ALI VE MEVAiDUN - NEFAiS FI KAVAiDi'L - MECALiS

Abstract

Although having possessed rich sources about history of politics and institutes of Ottoman Turks we have little sources regarding their social lives. Mustafa Ali's work called the Mevaidu'n-Nefais fi Kavaidi'l-Mecalis includes incomparably much information about 16th century Ottoman social life, customs and classes. Apart from giving information about social life this work has the characteristics of political book.Ottomans' life manner is always one of the interesting subjects. Ali in his work narrates palace life, corruption in the state institutes, social classes, coffee houses, bars, various jobs and religion. The work is important owing to including vivid scenes of social life. Although Ali's exaggerations in hisdescriptions of various subjects the work stil maintains its value.