The Mecmûa-i İber-i İntibâh and the Early Polemics among Ottoman Popular Science Journals

Abstract

FirstpublishedinDecember1862bytheCemiyet-iKitâbet,theMecmûa-iİber-i İntibâh was the second most popular Ottoman science journal. The journal ceased publication after its 8th issue in June 1864. Its name was changed to Mecmûa-iİbretnümâfrom its 9th issue (October 1865) onward, and thereafter, it became a monthly journal. Its 16th and final issue was dated May 1866. Emphasizing the importance of education, the journal's aim was to provide reading materials for school children. Its content reflects the traditional understanding of culture and society. It went into non-scientific polemics with the Mecmûa-i Fünûn, the first popular science magazine of the Ottoman Empire. Journal's articles quoting from the Mukaddime witness the influence of Ibn Khaldun on Ottoman cultural life of the time. The journal further informs regarding the Turkish translation by Vidinli Tevfik from Bahaeddin el-Âmûlî's arithmetical book, Hülâsatü'l-Hisâb, and some history of science books of the time, which were not recorded in bibliographies. These pieces of information are crucial because they attest to the unknown aspects of Turkish scientific and cultural history.