Scholars of Andalusian Origin and their Contribution to Ottoman Science

Abstract

This survey study reveals hitherto unknown aspects of scientific exchange between Andalusian and Ottoman scholars. The first outcome of these aspects came out during the long years of surveying, compiling and editing of the 18 volumes of Ottoman Scientific Literature which unveiled information about the emigration a number of Muslim and Jewish scholars to the Ottoman Empire after the fall of Granada (1492). Scholars of Arab origin mainly settled in North Africa and the province of Egypt, while the Jewish settled mostly in Istanbul and Salonica. These scholars produced works in order to prove their abilities and to be accepted by scholarly circles. Through these works, Ottoman scholars came into contact with new sources including the tradition of the “Renaissance” which was unknown to them. Some of these scholars were encouraged and given imperial patronage and some of the physicians rose to the position of palace physician to Suleyman the Magnificent. This paper gives a detailed account on life and works of the Andalusian scholars who came to Ottoman Empire in different waves of immigration as well as it tries to shed light on the later comers and their interaction with Ottoman scholars.