The history of Baghdad in the 18th and 19th centuries had predominantly been written by two groups. The first group is Baghdadi scholars, and the second group is travellers. These two resources complement each other; while the literature of Baghdadi scholars provides insights from inside, travelogues provide observations from outside. By implementing this interlocking method of investigation, we can reach a comprehensive understanding of the history of Baghdad. Having investigated some sources from inside in my previous book; Baghdad: an urban history through the lens of literature, the focus of this book is on travel literature. The history of travelogues throughout different periods of Baghdad’s history is highlighted, with a particular focus on 18th and 19th century travelogues. This period was a critical epoch of change, not just in Baghdad, but across the world. Nevertheless, this book does not intend to provide a documentary of the travellers who visited Baghdad. It is rather an analytical study of the colonial literature in relation to the historiography of Baghdad.
This book provides analytical study of the colonial literature of Baghdad in relation to its historiography. The history of travelogues throughout different periods of Baghdad’s history is highlighted, with a specific focus on 18th and 19th centuries’ travelogues.
Contents
Illustrations v
Introduction 1
Authors note 4
The context of travel writing 5
Baghdad and the Ottoman Empire 9
One name and multiple locations 9
A unique city with a mysterious history 11
The Ottoman Empire 15
The perception of Ottoman cities in historiography 16
The Mamluks ruling of Baghdad 20
Travelogues and history Representation 29
Travelogues methods and attitudes 29
Travelogues and Orientalism 33
Travelogues and Islamic studies 36
Travelogues and heritage understanding 43
Diverse travelers before the 18th Century 46
Regional travelers 46
European travelers 50
Europeans Involvement in the 18th Century 53
Mapping Efforts of Carsten Niebuhr 54
The Novels of Guillaume Antoine Olivier 60
British Intervention Intensifies 66
The Arabian Nights 67
Political focus of Claudius Rich 69
Lifestyle conditions by Mary Rich 73
City descriptions by James Silk Buckingham 76
Colonial interests in Heudes writings 88
Summary 94
Endnotes 98
Bibliography
Index
Iman Al-Attar is an Iraqi architect, historian and a doctor in philosophy and urban history. She is currently doing research on topics including urban history, Islamic architecture, cultural issues and Baghdad. In 2018 she published her first book; Baghdad: an urban history through the lens of literature, which examines the writings of some local scholars who stayed in Baghdad in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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