Fevaid-i Gaza (the benefits of invasion) an unusual Ottoman military manuscript written for the Sultan Osman Han b. Ahmed Han (R. 1618 to 1622) TRADITIONAL TRAINING METHODS OF THE OTTOMANS IN HORSEBACK ARCHERY de Kapi Agasi Kulu, Mustafa Aga el- Muteferrika (Silahsor)

Handwritten. Very Good. Hardcover. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Written for the Sultan Osman II between 1618 and 1622, by the author who was the equipments supplier (Silah shor) in the Ottoman army. 8vo., 86 lvs (172 p.) Ottoman text missing the firs page. Early 17th C. in fine black Naskh script with significant words in red and few in gold, all of the pages out-ruled in gold. Water staining goes heavier towards the last pages, but the book -generally- is in good condition and all of the words are clearly present. Contemporary fine classic Ottoman binding tooled in gold and with three "Shamsa" on the tow covers and the flap. Scarce Islamic manuscript about an un-usual subject to be existing. Measurements: 21x15 cm. Introduction (lvs 1 to 29) containing the virtues of Jihad, the general situation in the Ottoman army in Turkey and Egypt, military equipments supplying and suppliers (Silah shor Ta'ifesi) history in the Ottoman army, presentation to the Ottoman Sultan Osman II underlinen in gold. The book (lvs 29 to 86) is consisted of eight chapters and conclusion talking about military arts and the different weapons using: Chivalry, arrows, swords, the military protocol during the Sultan's attendance in the battle field. Possibly an autograph. written during the early years of the seventeenth century. A select group of Ottoman authors wrote several treatises on various aspects of horsemanship and mounted archery. These works, some of which were based on the Mamluk furûsiyya literature, provide us highly critical perspectives on the question of how the Ottomans actually prepared their cavalrymen for battles during this period. This unpublished manuscript entitled Fevâ'id-i Gazâ [Benefits of War] was penned by Ser-Silâhşör Mustafa Agha el-Müteferrika, an Ottoman master of arms and an expert horseman himself. Chapters explains in details the training methods and related cavalry exercises utilized by the Ottomans so as to perfect their skills in mounted archery and warfare. This hitherto unexplored treatise is a very important primary source especially for researchers seeking new and/or detailed information on Ottoman/Turkish (mounted) archery. (see; Günhan Borekci)