Ali Kuşçu

Astronomer, mathematician and linguist Ali Kuşçu made great contributions to the world of science in Istanbul, where she came at the invitation of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.

Ali Kuşçu, who gave the Ottoman Empire a brilliant age in the fields of mathematics and astronomy and left his mark on the 15th century, passed away 546 years ago today. Born in Samarkand, Ali Kuşçu's father is Muhammed, the born head of Turkistan and Transoxiana Emir Uluğ Bey. Ali Kuşçu, who received his primary education in Samarkand, then took mathematics and astronomy lessons from Bursalı Kadızade Rumi and Uluğ Bey himself. According to rumors, Ali Kuşçu, who was not full of knowledge, went to Kirman secretly, worrying that he could not get permission from Uluğ Bey and Kadızade. There, he had the opportunity to read Nasirüddin-i Tusi's his commentary with his work titled Tecridü'l-kalam, as well as many books, and then he presented Tusi's work under the name Şerhu't-Tecrid and presented it to Abu Said Han. Completing his education in Kirman, Ali Kuşçu became the director of the observatory established by Uluğ Bey in 1421 and helped his work named Zic (ruler showing the places and movements of the stars). He won the appreciation of Uluğ Bey by presenting his treatise called Hallü Eşkali'l-kamer, which he wrote in Kirman. After that, it is known that he was sent to China by Uluğ Bey to advance his knowledge and he calculated the surface of the world and the meridian on his return. When Uluğ Bey was killed in 1450 due to the betrayal of his son Abdüllatif, Ali Kuşçu ended his lessons in Samarkand madrasas and came to Tabriz to go to pilgrimage.

ALİ SENT KUŞÇU TO FATİH

The Akkoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan revered Kuşçu very much and detained him in Tabriz. Uzun Hasan sent Ali Kuşçu to Fatih as an ambassador to carry out peace negotiations with the Ottomans. Mehmet II, who admired the famous scholar, asked him to stay in Istanbul. Kuşçu stated that he could carry out this invitation after completing his duty as an embassy and returned to Tabriz. After a while, he took all his family and came back to Istanbul.

APPOINTED TO AYASOFYA

On his return to Istanbul, Ali Kuşçu was welcomed with a ceremony at the border by a delegation appointed by Fatih. Among those who welcomed Ali Kuşçu were Istanbul Kadısı Hocazade Müslihü'd-Din Mustafa and other scientists. Ali Kuşçu, who came to Istanbul, was paid 200 gold and was appointed as a professor at Hagia Sophia. This appointment brought vitality to the studies in astronomy and mathematics in Istanbul. Ali Kuşçu prepared the programs of Fatih Complex and gave astronomy and mathematics lessons. He also measured the latitude and longitude of Istanbul and also made various sundials. Ali Kuşçu played an important role in teaching mathematics lessons in madrasahs. His lectures were very popular and followed by important scientists. In addition, Sinan Pasha, one of the mathematicians of the period, followed the lessons of Ali Kuşçu through his student Molla Lütfi.

HAS 2 IMPORTANT STUDIES IN ASTRONOMY AND MATHEMATICS

Ali Kuşçu, whose studies developed in the direction of theology, grammar and mathematics, astronomy, has two important works written in the fields of astronomy and mathematics. One of them is the astronomy book called "Fethiye" because it was finished during the Otlukbeli War and presented to Fatih after the victory. The work consists of three parts. In the first part, the spheres of the planets are discussed and the movements of the planets are mentioned, the second part is on the shape of the earth and seven climates. In the last part, Ali Kuşçu discussed the measurements of the ground and the distances of the planets. This work of astronomy, which was very effective in its period, was written for astronomy teaching in madrasahs rather than revealing new findings. Another important work of Ali Kuşçu is his mathematics book named "Muhammediye" after Fatih. Ali Kuşçu died in Istanbul on 5 Saban 879 (15 December 1474) and was buried in the vicinity of Eyüp Sultan Tomb. Among the students he raised are scholars such as his grandson Mirim Çelebi and Molla Lütfi.