The influence of Saib Tabrizi on the work of Raghib Pasha

This article explores the influence of Saib Tabrizi (1676), one of the prominent representatives of the “Sabk-i Hindi” style, on the works of Raghib Pasha, a distinguished figure in Ottoman-Turkish literature. Our research has revealed that Saib Tabrizi’s impact extended not only to Raghip Pasha but also significantly to Ottoman Turkish literature as a whole. Throughout his life, Saib Tabrizi traveled extensively, and the impressions he gathered from these journeys, as well as the individuals he encountered, had a profound effect on his literary output. His works spread widely and were read extensively in the places he visited. The didactic themes found in his lyrical poetry are also deeply reflected in Raghib Pasha’s writings. The poet himself mentioned Saib Tabrizi’s name with respect when referring to representatives of the “Sabk-i Hindi” style in his works. He not only took Saib as a model within the Sabk-i Hindi style, but also admired his ghazals to the extent of writing tamises of them, and strove for many years to obtain a manuscript copy of his Divan. In the works of both authors, the similarities in language and style are clearly reflected in their use of phraseological expressions and folk sayings. This resemblance is not limited to linguistic devices alone but also manifests itself in their aesthetic approach and thematic orientation. The influence of Saib Tabrizi’s style on Raghib Pasha’s literary work is thoroughly examined in this article.