Seyit Taha

Seyit Taha (Şemdinanlı Seyit Taha) is one of the prominent Kurdish leaders of the Hakkâri-Şemdinan region at the beginning of the 20th century. His influence in the region during World War I and the armistice years was recorded in the Ottoman archival documents of the period as a central figure in Kurdish-British relations and border balances (Cilt 3, s. 125).

Regional Alliances

In the documents, Seyit Taha appears as one of the focal points of regional alliances during the war and armistice period. It is recorded that Simko Ağa, by agreement with the Iranians, united with Seyit Taha, and they intended to descend to Cizre via Van. In the same documents, it is stated that Seyit Taha lost his reputation among the tribes due to his alliance with the Assyrians (Cilt 3, s. 119). The fact that Seyit Taha's relationship with the Assyrians was not approved by Kurdish tribes is reiterated in another document; in the context where the British political officer of Amadiya issued a declaration to the Kurds stating that efforts would be made towards Kurdish independence in peace talks, this dissatisfaction is expressed again (Cilt 3, s. 122).

The British and Şemdinan

The British largely carried out their work in Şemdinan through Seyit Taha. Ottoman officials emphasized the strategic importance of Şemdinan in this context, describing the region with the words, "Just as Van is the key to the Vilayat-ı Sitte, Şemdinan is the gate, the cornerstone of Van; if necessary measures are not taken in Şemdinan, Van will be lost" (Cilt 3, s. 123, 134). The documents also record that Seyit Taha was in Tabriz and held meetings with the British; during the same period, British official Bill met with the Crown Prince of Iran in Tabriz (Cilt 3, s. 123).

The British published Arabic declarations aimed at filling the power vacuum left by Şeyh Mahmud Berzenci with Şemdinanlı Seyit Taha; however, it is documented that Seyit Taha maintained his silence on this matter (Cilt 3, s. 134).

His Family and Relationship with the State

His family's influence was officially recognized and attempts were made to use it politically by the Ottoman administration. The granting of the rank of mîrimîranlık to Seyit Taha's brother, Seyit Muslih, is mentioned in the correspondence of the period; furthermore, Seyit Muslih was appointed as acting district governor to Şemdinan (Cilt 3, s. 123, 125). It is recounted in the documents that the promise of mîrülümeralık to Seyit Muslih led him to cooperate with the government, whereupon individuals who had kept their distance due to fear of Seyit Taha also approached the state; Seyit Muslih advised his brother Seyit Taha to be loyal to the Ottomans (Cilt 3, s. 125).