The Ottoman Empire's Printing Press That Changed History

In 1727, the Ottoman Empire finally permitted the printing of books in Arabic script, a full 250 years after Gutenberg. This episode explores the fascinating story of İbrahim Müteferrika, a Hungarian-born Unitarian who converted to Islam and became the empire's first official printer. We discuss the fierce opposition from religious authorities and calligraphers, the limited output of Müteferrika's press, and how his publications introduced Ottoman readers to geography, history, and European science. Along the way, we touch on the cultural and political factors that delayed printing for centuries, including the role of the janissaries and scribal guilds. A little-known but pivotal moment in Ottoman modernization. #İbrahimMüteferrika #PrintingPress #OttomanEmpire #1727 #LaleDevri #AhmedIII #GrandVizierNevşehirliDamatİbrahimPaşa #Geography #History #Calligraphy #Gutenberg #ArabicScript #OttomanModernization #TulipAge #BookHistory #MiddleEast #FexingoHistory #18thCentury Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo