Ayoub Sabri Pasha’s Methodology in His Classification of "The Mirror of the Two Holy Sanctuaries and the Arabian Peninsula"

Özet

This study examines the methodological approach adopted by Eyüp Sabri Pasha in his major work, Mir’at al-Haramayn al-Sharifayn wa Jazirat al-‘Arab, one of the most significant Ottoman sources on the history of the Two Holy Sanctuaries in the nineteenth century. The research seeks to identify the methodological features that shaped the structure of this encyclopedic work, analyze the author’s techniques in collecting, organizing, and presenting historical material, and evaluate the strengths and limitations of his approach within the intellectual context of his time. The study employs a descriptive-analytical method based on a close reading of the text, tracing the author’s use of earlier historical writings, official Ottoman documents, and personal observations. The analysis demonstrates that Eyüp Sabri Pasha adopted a composite methodology that combined careful transmission from earlier sources, reliance on administrative records, and direct observation. This synthesis reflects his dual background as both a military-administrative official and a learned scholar. The research further highlights the coherent internal organization of the book. The author begins with geographical and architectural descriptions of the Two Holy Sanctuaries, then proceeds to historical developments, devoting particular attention to Ottoman reforms, renovations, and expansions. By linking historical events to their material and urban manifestations, he constructs an integrated narrative that intertwines political authority with sacred space. In terms of documentation, the study finds that the author frequently identifies his sources and occasionally notes divergent accounts, although he does not consistently adhere to detailed referencing by modern standards. Stylistically, his writing is characterized by clarity, systematic progression, and a predominantly reportorial tone, reflecting a documentary intention rather than rhetorical embellishment. The study concludes that Mir’at al-Haramayn is not merely a historical chronicle but a civilizational document embodying the Ottoman vision of administering and preserving the holy sites. Eyüp Sabri Pasha’s methodology represents a distinctive model of late Ottoman encyclopedic historiography, integrating history, architecture, and administration within a comprehensive interpretive framework.