Şemdinan

Şemdinan was a kaza of the Hakkâri Sancağı, affiliated with the Van Vilayeti during the Ottoman period; its administrative center was Nehri (Volume 4, p. 133; Volume 4, p. 127). The kaza is associated with Şemdinanlı Seyit Taha, one of the important Kürt leaders of the early 20th century.

Administrative Structure and Population

The demographic structure of the kaza was recorded as multi-faceted in the sources of the period: its population consisted of approximately 3,000 Nesturi, 2,000 İsraili (Jewish) people, and about 15,000 Kürt and Türk (Volume 4, p. 133). In the administrative division, Şemdinan is mentioned along with kazas such as Çölemerik, Gevar, and Mahmudi within the Hakkâri Sancağı; the kaza center is indicated as Nehri (Tera) in the sources (Volume 4, p. 127; Volume 4, p. 142). The nahiyes of Zerzan, Herki, Kurdi, Humaro, and Oramar are listed as being affiliated with the kaza; it is stated in the salnames that trees such as oak, juniper, and chestnut were abundant in these nahiyes and in the forest forty-two hours away from the vilayet center (Volume 4, p. 284).

After the First World War

In the period after I. Dünya Savaşı, Şemdinan stands out as a border region of strategic importance in Ottoman archival documents. Şemdinanlı Seyit Taha's relations with the İngilizler, the declarations he sent to the local people, and his activities were the subject of intense correspondence of the period (Volume 3, p. 121; Volume 3, p. 123). The İngilizler published Arapça declarations aimed at filling the power vacuum created by Şeyh Mahmud Berzenci in Süleymaniye through Şemdinanlı Seyit Taha; however, it was recorded that Seyit Taha maintained his silence on this matter (Volume 3, p. 134). In a telegram dated 6 Ocak 1920, Seyit Taha declared loyalty and allegiance to the Sadaret with the signature “Şemdinan Sadatından Seyit Taha” (Volume 3, p. 124). Furthermore, “Şemdinanlı Nakib-ül Eşraf Seyid Taha”, along with other prominent figures of Van, sent a telegram dated 9 Mart 1919 to ABD Başkanı Wilson, Barış Konferansı Başkanı Clémenceau, and the İngiliz Hükümeti in response to the cession of Vilayat-ı Şarkiye to Ermenistan (Volume 3, p. 141).

Strategic Importance

The strategic importance of the region was strikingly emphasized by Ottoman officials of the period. Van Valisi Haydar Bey used the following expressions against the İngilizler's efforts in Şemdinan through Seyit Taha: “Just as Van is the key to Vilayat-ı Sitte, Şemdinan is the gate, the cornerstone of Van. If necessary measures are not taken in Şemdinan, Van will be lost. If Van falls into enemy hands, the way to Bitlis and Erzurum will be opened, and everything up to Sivas will unravel like a pulled thread!” (Volume 3, p. 123; Volume 3, p. 134). A broad correspondence traffic occurred between the Dâhiliye Nezareti and Van Vilayeti regarding the İngilizler's demand for the evacuation of Şemdinan, to prevent conflict (Volume 3, p. 123).

Tribal Relations

During this period, the appointment of Seyit Taha's brother, Seyit Muslih, as acting kaymakam to Şemdinan came to the agenda (Volume 3, p. 123); the granting of the mîrimîranlık (mîrülümeralık) rank to Seyit Muslih was reported to Dersaadet by Van Valisi Mithat Bey as a step aimed at ensuring cooperation with the government and the rapprochement of Kürt leaders with the state (Volume 3, p. 125). Şemdinan is also mentioned in intense relations with surrounding aşirets; Faik of the Bedirhaniler's meetings with the Şemdinan, Gevar, and Çölemerik aşirets (Volume 3, p. 132) and the connections of Barzan Şeyhi Ahmed Efendi with the Barzan, Zibar, and Şirvan aşirets to Şemdinan are reflected in archival documents (Volume 3, p. 123).