Malatya

Malatya, located on the western border of the geography inhabited by Kurds, is a center frequently mentioned in historical sources, both in Islamic period geographical literature and Ottoman archival records. Classical sources refer to it as one of the frontier regions where the Kurdish population extended westward.

In Islamic Period Sources

In Islamic period geographical and travel sources, the region's relationship with Kurdish tribes is recorded: The Hesnaniyye tribe mentioned by El-Umerî is cited in these sources (Vol. 2, p. 40).

One of the most prominent traces of the city in Kurdish history is the names of its castles. İbn Şeddad mentions a castle named "Kaletu el-Ekrad" (Kurdish Castle) in Malatya, in addition to Hısn'ül-Ekrad (Kurdish Castle) (Vol. 2, p. 75). Similarly, Ez-Zahirî also refers to places in Malatya attributed to Kurds, such as Kürt Kalesi (Kurdish Castle) and Kürt Hisarı (Kurdish Fortress) (Vol. 2, p. 45). Bağdadî, while listing the castles affiliated with Diyar-ı Bekr, mentions Şamşeka Kalesi, located between Amed and Malatya (Vol. 2, p. 113).

Ottoman Tahrir Records

During the Ottoman period, Malatya was recorded in tahrir records as one of the regions densely populated by Kurds. Both mufassal and icmal defters were kept for the Malatya and Adıyaman region; the Malatya Mufassal Tahrir Defter dated 967/1560 was prepared; additionally, the Harput icmal defter numbered 264 is also among the region's records (Vol. 3, p. 22). In this defter, Malatya consists of a total of 18 nahiyes, including Şehir, Kasaba, Arguvan, Akçadağ, Karahisar, Kâhta, Behisni, Keysun, Gölbaşı, Erkenek, along with the Gerger kaza; the icmal defter numbered 307, dated the same, is also recorded (Vol. 3, p. 23).

19th Century and Archival Documents

In the 19th century, Malatya, along with Arapgir, was included in the Tanzimat reforms, and it became possible to access records of the members of the first administrative councils established in the region from this period (Vol. 3, p. 59). Towards the end of the century, the city also became the scene of important events in Kurdish history: archival documents contain explanations regarding the issue of Ali Galip Bey, Major Noel, and Malatya Mutasarrıfı Halil Bedirhan (Vol. 3, p. 134). In telegrams dated 1919, the Malatya Belediye Reisi (Mayor) and the administrative committee reported their reactions to the formation of Armenia in the region (Vol. 3, p. 140); furthermore, Malatya Belediye Reisi Abdülvahhap and 32 individuals from the city's ulema and eşraf sent a telegram to the Sultan in protest of the cession of Vilayat-ı Şarkiye to Armenia (Vol. 3, p. 143).