Abstract

Abstract: Kirkuk is one of the oldest cities in Mesopotamia, many civilizations have been left their legacy there. The Ottomans have been ruling in this city and used it as the capital of Shahrizor Province. Many studies have been written on the history of Kirkuk during the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which have cited many primary sources. Seyahatname is very instrumental to re-claim the history of Kirkuk, but the problem is that defective sources and politically motivated narratives cloud the exploration of this history by that time. This study attempts to understand the city of Kirkuk during the 16th century in deeply by utilizes Evliya Çelebi Seyahatname’s manuscript which exists in the Top Kapı palace in Istanbul. The research methodology of this paper uses qualitative historical and textual analysis method with an exploratory qualitative research design, depending on both primary and secondary sources. As the result: Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname has much invaluable information about Kirkuk and Shahrizor that has not been adequately utilized by historians. Although, he has mentioned information about Kirkuk, but he did not enter and stay in this city.Key Word: Kirkuk, Çelebi, Shahrizor, Seyahatname, Travel.