Notes on Gaziantep

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Gaziantep

Gaziantep, also called Ayintap, Antep, Kala-i Pusus, and Hantap. Gaziantep gained it's name in Turkey's War of Independence in 1922 when Antep was awarded the title Gazi or warrior of the faith. Gazi Antep is now called Gaziantep.

Gaziantep has a long and tumultuous history. An ancient city as we can see from the Hittite sculpture it was a provincial capitol under the Ottoman Empire. In the Ottoman days sit was Arab and Armenian with many Kurds in the surrounding country side. The Sultan would traditionally appoint a Syriac Governor. Later with the fall of the Empire population shifted in the region and the area became heavily Turkish. I was struck by what one of our readers wrote about Gaziantep

Chris Belcher wrote:

My grandfather, who was Armenian, left Gaziantep (then Aintab) in 1918 to save his family's lives. Yes, Gaziantep is currently Turkish, but historically it is part of Cilicia or Western Armenia, before the arrival of the Turks.. "National Identity" is sometimes more complex than current political boundaries, especially in Turkey.

Gaziantep Kilim Southeast Anatolia last Quarter 19th C
Aleppo/Gaziantep Kilim Southeastern Anatolia 19th C
Circa 1700s BC Antep was the ancient city of Duluk a major center of the Hittite Empire. The center of Duluk is just north of present-day Gaziantep.
Uner Caliph Omar, lyaz Bin Ganern captured Gaziantep and the area accepted Islam. The Omeriye Mosque dates back to this era and was named after the Caliph Omar.
Suleiman Shah conquered Gaziantep in 1084 and the city became part of the Seljuk Empire.
On August 20,1516 Sultan Selim the Grim captured Antep for the Ottoman Empire.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly granted Antep the "Gazi" title on February 8, 1921 because of the valor shown first during the British occupation, the French Occupation, and then the war of Independence.
Gaziantep TU Weather Forecast

Gaziantep Turkey In Pictures

Kurtulus Mosque - Gaziantep Turkey In Pictures

The Kurtulus Mosque takes it name from "Kurtulus Günü" (Day of Liberation) when Atatürk's armies drove out the invading Greek army during Turkey's War of Independence in 1922. Ir was at this time that Antep became Gaziantep.

Hittite Sculpture Center - Yesemek, Gaziantep Turkey In Pictures

For Further Reading: Guide to Rugs & Books

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

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