Şah I. İsmail-i Safevî’nin kadim müridleri: Varsak Türkmenleri (Farsaklar)

This study deals with the Turkmen community living in the mountainous region (Taurus Mountains/Kûh-i Bulgar) in the plains and north of Çukurova and İç-İl (Taurus Mountains/ Kûh-i Bulgar) in the XIVth-XVIth centuries and referred to as ‘Varsak/Farsak Turkmens’ in the sources. In this paper, the relations of the Safavid sect in general and Shah Ismail-i Safavi in particular with the Varsak Turkmens will be discussed. The relationship of Varsaks with the Safavids began when Sheikh Juneyd-i Safavi left Ardebil and came to Anatolia (1449). When Sheikh Juneyd was not respected by the Ottomans and Karamanids, he took refuge with the Varsaks living in the Taurus Mountains. Upon the pressure of the Karamanids, he fled to Syria with his disciples whom he recruited from Varsaks. However, when he could not hold on there, he went to Diyarbakır, which was under the rule of Aqqoyunlu Uzun Hasan Beg, even though he had the Varsaks with him. Uzun Hasan Beg established a kinship bond with Sheikh Juneyd in order to benefit from his power against his rival Karaqoyunlu. Sheikh Juneyd came to Ardabil in 1459, taking Varsaks and his other disciples with him. Thus, Varsaks became important supporters of the Safavid sect. Varsaks, who also gave this support to Sheikh Haydar-i Safavi and Shah Ismail-i Safavi, also played a role in the establishment of the Safavid State (1502). However, due to their small population, they could not occupy primary positions like the Ustaçlu and Tekelü tribes. However, they have always been Shah Ismail’s ancient disciples and warriors. As a matter of fact, when the Ottomans besieged Kemah Castle, a handful of Varsaks resisted until the last man remained, upon the order of Shah Ismail.