The Swedish diplomat and author Ignace Mouradjea d'Ohsson (1740-1807), of Armenian descent, was born in Istanbul. During his career, he successively became secretary, interpreter and chargé d'affaires of the Swedish embassy in Istanbul, and eventually ambassador and ambassador plenipotentiary of Sweden. He was also named knight of the Wasa order.

Aided by his contacts and acquaintances, by 1784 D'Ohsson was able to penetrate into the everyday life of the Ottoman court, normally inaccessible to Europeans. The first part of his monumental work «Tableau général de l’empire Othoman» was published in Paris in 1788. It deals with Ottoman institutions, mosques, tombs, and religious practices such as prayers and ceremonies. The second part of the work (1789) is dedicated to the history of the Ottoman state. D’Ohsson’s son published the third part of the work posthumously. It deals with the civil, political, penal and military codes of the Ottoman Empire. D'Ohsson originally intended for his work to extend to seven or eight volumes, but was unable to complete his project.

The present edition is a characterized by excellent typography, and includes a large number of engravings. Above all, the political and sociological description of the empire (in accordance with an editorial practice prevalent in Europe at the time), and the inclusion of several details on palace life make this work an invaluable and highly original testimony on institutions and customs of the Ottoman capital.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou

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  The tomb of Osman I in Bursa. Ottoman books, probably from one of the public libraries of Istanbul.

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  Title page of the first volume of the edition.

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  Title page of the first volume of the edition.

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  Adam and Eved according to Islamic tradition. Prophet Muhammad ascends to heaven. Drawing of the Mosque of Mecca (Al-Masjid al-Haram) and the Holy Rock (Kaaba).

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  The first four Caliphs, heirs of Prophet Muhammad, in chronological order: Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib.

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  Muslim man performing ritual ablution before prayer.

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  Scene at a public bath, possibly in Istanbul.

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  Muslim man doing his prayers. Depiction of the sequence of Muslim prayer.

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  Muslim woman doing her prayers. Depiction of the sequence of Muslim prayer.

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  Open-air praying site; such sites existed on all big commercial routes in the Ottoman Empire.

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  View of the central nave of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

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  Muslim children in their circumcision costume. Animals destined to be sacrificed on the day of Kurban Bayram.

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  Rites of passage in the Muslim cemetery of Eyüp, Istanbul.

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  Official prayer to celebrate the Birth of Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid) in the presence of the Sultan and other supreme officials, at the mosque of Sultan Ahmed, Istanbul.

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  Hagia Sophia, Mosque of Sultan Ahmed I (Blue Mosque) and Laleli Mosque, Istanbul.

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  The public library of Sultan Abdul Hamid I in Istanbul.

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  The public library of Grand Vizier Recip Paşa in Istanbul.

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  The tomb of Valide Sultan Turhan Hatice, mother of Mehmed IV at the mosque of Valide Sultan or New Mosque (Yeni Camii) in Eminönü, Istanbul.

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  Title page of the second volume of the edition.

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  The Grand Vizier offers dinner (Ifter) to other Ottoman officials during the Ramadan.

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  Parade of horses in the Sultans's honour, in the Second Court of Topkapi Palace, on the eve of the Bayram.

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  Religious ceremony in the Audience Hall of Tokapi Palace on the eve of the Bayram.

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  Panoramic view of Mecca. On the foreground, the Mosque of Mecca (Al-Masjid al-Haram) and the Holy Rock of Kaaba.

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  A caravan departs from Istanbul to the Holy Mosque of Mecca during the Ramadan, with sacred camels and gifts from the Sultan.

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  Camel carrying gifts from the Sultan to the Holy Mosque of Mecca during the Ramadan. Auxiliary camel forming part of the Caravan to Mecca.

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  Mules of the Imperial Caravan carrying gifts to Mecca from the Sultan, during the Ramadan.

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  View of Medina in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nabawi Mosque.

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  The private quarters of an Ottoman official.

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  A Muslim woman of aristocratic descent in winter costume. A Muslim woman of aristocratic descent in spring costume. A Muslim woman of aristocratic descent in summer costume. A slave woman, escort to a Muslim lady.

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  Muslim women of Turkey in promenade costume. Muslim woman of Egypt in promenade costume. European woman covered with a shawl. European woman wearing a mahrama, embroidered head cover typically used by Muslim women.

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  Muslim women entertaining themelves in their private quarters.

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  Leisure scene at Sweet waters of Europe (Kağithane). Saadabad palace in the distance.

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  Ottoman dancers.

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  Greek women dancing in Istanbul.

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  Dance of the dervishes of the Kadri order.

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  Exercises of the dervishes of the Rifa'i order.

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  Exercises of the dervishes of the Rifa'i order.

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  Exercises of the dervishes of the Rifa'i order.

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  Exercises of the dervishes of the Rifa'i order.

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  Dance of the dervishes of the Mevlevi order.

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  Title page of the third volume of the edition.

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  The main entrance to Tokapi Palace in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia on the right, the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III on the left.

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  Ottoman soldiers exercising in Tomak, a martial art practiced with wooden balls.

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  Ottoman soldiers exercising in Cirit, a martial art practiced with a javelin.

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  The Chief Admiral of the Ottoman fleet shows himself before the Sultan. In the background (right to left) the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed I, Hagia Sophia and Hagia Irene.

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  A trial in the presence of the Grand Vizier.

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  A Pasha, governor of an Ottoman province, marching towards Istanbul.

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  A European ambassador has dinner with the Grand Vizier.

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  A European ambassador appears before the Sultan.

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  Public scribes of the Ottoman state.