First Turkish book: Vankulu Lügati

The publishing adventure of the Turkish book in the Ottoman period started with the dictionary published under the name of "Vankulu Dictionary". The Vankulu Dictionary, which lasted for 2 years, is still valuable today as an important reference resource used in the analysis of the works of ancient times in terms of literature and language. The Vankulu Dictionary is also a translation book. This work in Arabic language, estimated to have been written about 800 years ago by İsmail Cevheri, whose original name was “Sıhah-ı Cevheri”, was translated into our language by Vankulu Mehmet Efendi during the Ottoman period. The translation of the work, which took about 2 years, was published by İbrahim Müteferrika. The first edition of this first book, which is a dictionary, was printed in the printing house known by its name, which is located on the ground floor of İbrahim Müteferrika's house. Vankulu Dictionary has been published in 2 volumes. After the publication of this valuable dictionary, it attracted more attention than expected, and found a meaning as a bedside book for everyone beyond just being a textbook in madrasah education. The book was met with great excitement and interest nearly three centuries ago.