"وصف مصر العثمانية في رحلة الحسين الورثيلاني"
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study explores the image of Ottoman Egypt as depicted in the travel account of al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Warthilani (d. 1193 AH/1779 CE), entitled Nuzhat al-Anzar fi Fadl ‘Ilmay al-Tarikh wa al-Akhbar. As an authentic Maghribi travel narrative from the eighteenth century, the work constitutes a valuable source for understanding the religious, social, and economic life of Egypt under Ottoman rule. The research aims to analyze how al-Warthilani constructed his representation of Egypt and its society, and to uncover the intellectual and cultural dimensions of his perspective as a scholar-traveler shaped by both learning and Sufi experience.Using a comparative textual analysis, the study closely examines the sections of the travelogue devoted to Egypt and situates them within their broader historical context. The findings indicate that Egypt occupied a central position in al-Warthilani’s narrative. He provided extensive descriptions of al-Azhar, scholarly circles, religious practices, urban structures, markets, crafts, and administrative relations. His observations extend beyond simple narration to include evaluative and interpretive reflections, revealing both admiration and critical commentary.Particular attention is given to his portrayal of Egyptian society, its customs, religious celebrations, and social hierarchies. From his Maghribi vantage point, al-Warthilani constructs a distinct image of the Egyptian urban and scholarly milieu, thereby contributing to our understanding of interregional perceptions within the Islamic world. His account illuminates patterns of intellectual exchange between the Maghrib and the Mashriq and highlights Egypt’s role as a hub of pilgrimage, knowledge, and commerce.The study concludes that al-Warthilani’s travel narrative is a rich and multifaceted source for reconstructing everyday life in eighteenth-century Egypt. It stands as both a historical and literary document that deepens our understanding of Ottoman-era society and the cultural interactions that shaped the early modern Islamic world.
Author: أ.م.د تسنيم محمد حرب أحمد
Language: Arabic
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204468150