First of all, greetings from Turkiye . I read your article about the Ottoman Empire influence in Grishaverse and wanted to share my thoughts as an Ottoman descendant :) I think this idea is great, and I also loved your comments. I just want to remind you that we are not Arabs in response to the "Ottoman or Arab" part, we just share a similar religion. Our cultures are quite different. Also, you can see some similarities in Shu Han, because we Turks used to live in Central Asia in ancient times and Mongols and China were our neighbors. So we exchanged cultures. I don't know what to think about the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing, even the people who lived peacefully among themselves for years could change depending on the circumstances when they betrayed the Ottomans and were mostly alone. Also, yes, we always had a turbulent relationship with the Russians, it would be interesting to read about that! Finally, the Ottoman Empire ruled over 3 continents and was an empire with many different cultures, so if there were Grishas in the Ottomans, I think they would be treated with tolerance and allowed to have their own neighborhoods/schools. If there was such a country, I would read it with admiration, because we really have a very colorful culture and I am proud of it!
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First of all, greetings from the other side !!! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts as an Ottoman descendant! I truly appreciate your insights ;)
I completely understand the distinction between Turks and Arabs—my apologies for the mix-up; it was definitely an oversight to use ‘or’ instead of ‘and.’
As you pointed out, the Ottoman Empire was incredibly vast and encompassed a rich variety of cultures, including those from modern-day Arab countries like Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, and many more. This diversity is a crucial aspect of the empire’s history, and that’s what I aimed to convey when I mentioned the Arabs in the beginning :)
Also, you can see some similarities in Shu Han, because we Turks used to live in Central Asia in ancient times and Mongols and China were our neighbors. So we exchanged cultures.
Exactly!! That’s why I was pretty disappointed when I found out that Shu Han was solely based on only China and Mongolia. I really hoped there would be some Ottoman influence in the mix, especially considering the historical exchanges and cultural interactions. It feels like such a missed opportunity to showcase the rich tapestry of cultures that shaped that region.
I don't know what to think about the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing, even the people who lived peacefully among themselves for years could change depending on the circumstances when they betrayed the Ottomans and were mostly alone.
That’s a really interesting point! The ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ concept definitely has its complexities. Alliances can shift dramatically based on circumstances, and history shows that even long-standing relationships can fracture. It’s fascinating how people who once lived peacefully together can turn on each other when faced with pressure. The dynamics of power, betrayal, and survival really shape those interactions, especially in this context.
Also, yes, we always had a turbulent relationship with the Russians, it would be interesting to read about that!
Yesss, like Leigh really missed with that one; such a wasted opportunity!
The Ottoman Empire ruled over 3 continents and was an empire with many different cultures, so if there were Grishas in the Ottomans, I think they would be treated with tolerance and allowed to have their own neighborhoods/schools.
Yeah and I think I’ll need to do a whole separate post just to unpack all my thoughts on this! In my mind, an Ottoman-inspired nation in the Grishaverse would definitely be more tolerant toward Grishas compared to other countries. That’s why I mentioned the millet-like system. For example, the Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire were able to establish their own schools and courts, aligning well with their traditions and allowing them to thrive. I could see something similar happening with the Grishas.
But here’s where it gets tricky—magic, or anything resembling it, has always been frowned upon in Abrahamic religions, including Islam. If we consider that the Ottoman-inspired nation might have a different religion (one that’s similar to Islam) than Ravka and the other nations, it could explain why they might be more tolerant yet still cautious. Even though Grishas aren’t exactly practicing witchcraft, the perception could complicate matters. So, while there might be greater tolerance in an Ottoman-inspired nation, it wouldn’t be all sunshine and roses. They likely wouldn’t face the same outright hatred they experience in Fjerda, but being fully accepted as equals might still be a stretch.
And wouldn’t it be fascinating to see the Darkling’s take on this country? He’s spent his entire life fighting for Grisha recognition, but he’s also deeply patriotic. I can imagine him feeling a mix of jealousy and frustration—like, 'Why can’t Ravka take notes from these guys?' But at the same time, he’d be wary, knowing that even in this more tolerant place, Grishas wouldn’t be seen as equals. And when push comes to shove, if Ravka were at war with them, his loyalty to his homeland would win out, no question (I think ?) It’s such a complex dynamic, and honestly, I’m a little sad we never got to see it play out in the books.
Finally, I completely agree with your thoughts about palace politics. The author could never explain it completely. The Ottoman Empire is a very complicated structure even within itself.
Yeppp, the Ottomans had so many different communities, and given the challenges Leigh Bardugo had with the ones she did write, it probably would’ve been a mess if she tried to tackle an Ottoman-inspired nation too, lol. But I’m seriously considering writing a fic where I dive into all of this. Maybe I’ll even create an OC from an Ottoman-like nation to explore those dynamics 😏
Anyway, thank you again for your insights on this topic! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. If you have any further comments or reflections on what I just shared, please feel free to share them with me!
