Thread by @TheKurdss

Principality of Mahmudi Kurds 1406 - 1839 [Thread]

The Mahmudi, also known as Pinyanişi, were rulers of a Kurdish principality that ruled Van, Hakkari, & Khoy from 14th-19th century. They originally followed #Ezidism & became Muslim in the 16th century.

📽️Castle of the Mahmudi

In 17th century, Evliya Çelebi reports that this tribe had 60,000 warriors.

He describes them in the following manner: “They are men of reason, fidelity in essence, sword at waist, dagger in hand, piece of fire, and wealthy, free from cheating and deceit.”

📷: Map of 16th-17th Mahmudi settlements by Birgül Açikyildiz

According to Şerefxan Bedlîsî, Mahmudîs shared same lineage as Marwanids & Azizan dynasty of Bohtan, also originally adherents of Ezidism. The founder of Mahmudi dynasty, Şêx Mehmûd, migrated eastwards from Bohtan, to near Urmia region with other Ezidi tribes in 14th century.

In 1550, when the Mahmudî chief Hasan Beg bin Iwaz adopted Islam after allying with Ottomans, consequently, the tribe was islamized. Some sections who refused to convert, lived in isolation from their tribe to avoid persecution & migrated later on to Caucasus with other Ezidis.

Their 17th century chief, Sarı Suleyman Bey, is accredited for upgrading and building the most of today's famous and iconic castle in Hoşap (Güzelsu), Van. Hoşap is full of Mahmudî architecture, which contain pre-Islamic Ezidi elements.

For example, above the entrance of Silêman Beg's mausoleum in Hoşap, there is a hexagon star with a six-petal flower in the middle, similar to the one in #Lalish which in Ezidism is a fertility related symbol.

In addition, the eastern window in Silêman Beg mausoleum is decorated whereas the other windows are plain. This increased importance and emphasis on the eastern wall can be a possible remnant of Ezidi tradition, as Ezidis pray east when the sun rises in the east every morning.

Moreover, at the Madrasa of Evliya Beg, the diagonal walls on the interior of the octagonal room with a dome contain deep rectangular niches that are rare for a prayer hall in Islamic architecture, but very common for Êzidî mausoleums.

Thanks @YazidiCulture

Image credits: Sinan Doğan & Birgül Açikyildiz

Information sources:
From Yezidism to Islam: Religious Architecture of the Mahmudî Dynasty in Khoshâb, by Birgül Açikyildiz

Seyahatname, by Evliya Çelebi

Şerefname, by Şerefxan Bedlîsî