Hakan Ozoglu, Kurdish Notables and Ottoman State: Evolving Identities, Competing Loyalties, and Shifting Boundaries, Published in 2004 by State University of New York Press, pp. 210
The problem of Kurdish nationality is a contemporary problem, which had occurred during the First World War, and its important is remaining. There are many controversial ideas; some of these ideas cause disintegration, that’s why writing a book about Kurdish nationality is required more careful in the sense of its objectivity and the tone of the language; following an academic way during the book is generally failed. However, Kurdish Notables and Ottoman State is one of the very rare examples in the sense of the following academic way of writing. The purpose of the author is giving a different point of view by giving first hand references, and by that way creating a new and more objective aspect. His main purpose behind the book is extending the limitation of the knowledge of the reader.
The structure of the book is very well designed. It follows chronological way. Totally it has six chapters. First part is an introduction part, which clarified the ideas of the each chapter, gave the limitation of the book and explained why it is written. Second chapter basically give how the Kurdish nationality formed. In this part, by the mythological references, the formation of the Kurdish nation is examined in very long duration. Second part is about who are the Kurds, and who named them. In this part, the relation between the place and the Kurds is stated, and in this part, very interestingly the author claims that others were named as “Kurd” who lived in that area, he tried to support his ideas with some interesting references. In the third part, the mutual relationship between Kurdish tribe and Ottoman state in 16 century is handled. Forth part includes the formation of the Kurdish nation idea in 20th century. Especially this part is the differentiated section of the book; this issue is very controversial and his way of handling these differ this book from the other book that has similar subject. Firstly the two significant Kurdish rebellions were explained; then it gives information about two political groups KTC and KTTC. Fifth chapter included the situation after the First World War. The histories of the Kurdish leaders are investigated in the terms of social, religious and tribal base. At this part, he claims that the Kurdish nationality is a result of the collapse of Ottoman State, actually this is very interesting claims, because the general perception is the vice versa. I think, this part is the most remarkable part. At the last part, the book is compared with other Middle East study and Kurdish nationality’s similarities and difference from Palestinian and Arabic nationalities.
The book has some limitations such as it only focus on Kurds who lived in Ottoman Empire, mentioning about other Kurds and their condition would make the book more accurate about analyzing given situation. Despite the geographical limitation, Hakan Ozoglu claims that majority of the Kurdish lived in this area: however this is not so convenient explanation. Other one is that the histories of the Kurds are generally focused on late history instead of longue duree. Moreover, the discussion in the book only based on political history of the Kurds, there may be more social aspect, because there is no information about the relationship between the two nations at the public base. These may consider about the missing part of the book.
Kurdish Notables and Ottoman State has very various and rich references, additionally these are combined of different aspects. In the sense of the reliability, the book deserves extra credit. References are generally stated chronologically so the formation of the idea of Kurdish nationality can be easily understood under that time circumstances. Ozoglu really pay attention to tell accurately the circumstances first, and then he gives the events. Otherwise, these events could be interpreted wrongly. Actually, as a Turkish reader his step by step way of telling the events and his smooth tone bring on the more objective evaluation chance for me.
Overall, Kurdish Notables and Ottoman State by Hakan Ozoglu is very nice reference about the formation of the Kurdish nationality at late history. Despite its limitations, which are stated above, the book draws clear and objective view about the Kurds in Ottoman State. With its various and interesting references, it consider highly reliable and informative book about this controversial issue. Furthermore, the author achieves to preserve his academic and neutral writing at whole book.
Sinem Atılgan Uşaklı 