Aydinoglu Isa Bey: A Founder - Three Mosques
Abstract
The Aydinoglu Principality became an actor of history in the early 14th century. It was taken under the Ottoman rule between 1389 and 1390 when Bayezid I operated raids over some Anatolian principalities. After the Ankara War (1402) the Aydmoglu dynasty could restore its rule in Aydin and its surrounding area. In 1426, the lands of this principality were annexed by the Ottoman State. The historical sources inform that Aydinoglu Isa Bey took the throne in 1360, after the death of Hizir Bey. The foundation records recall the name of Aydinoglu Isa Bey together with three mosques; The Ayasuluk (Selcuk) Mosque, The Birgi Mosque and The Keles (Kiraz) Mosque. From the inscription of The Birgi Mosque, it was inferrred that this mosque was erected not in the period of Aydinoglu Isa Bey but in the period of Aydinoglu Mahommed Bey. This article discusses about the conflict between the inscription and the foundation records and evaluates the tevzinanie (distribution list) which gives information about the above-mentioned three mosques and was recorded in 1401.