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Abstract: "After Sultan Selim III's accession to the Ottoman throne in 1798, further changes in military education were introduced by the institution of a new school: Mühendishane-i Cedide (New Engineering School) or Mühendishane-i Sultani (Imperial School of Engineering). Along with the formerly established Mühendishane-i Bahr-i Hümayun (Imperial School of Naval Engineering), the schools constituted the core of the Istanbul Technical University. Deeply rooted in science and military technology,promoting scientific education and housing a library imported from France, both schools departed from the traditional madrasas. The printing press, established by ibrahim Müteferrika in 1727 contributed to the reform process by printing translations on science, technology, mathematics and military technology. Constantine Ipsilanti's translations of Marquis de Vauban's Works upon the orders of the new Sultan are considered the first scientific translations and earned him the title of Grand Dragoman of the Porte in 1796."
Keywords: Ottoman military technology, Ottoman education, Constantin Ipsilanti, translators in the Ottoman Empire, Vauban.
I.Selim's educational reforms
Sultan Selim III was under immense pressure when he acceded the Ottoman throne in 1789. Wars against Austria and Russia had been raging for years. Selim's period is marked by military and educational reforms, which were, in fact interrelated in the sense that Selim's educational establishments not only departed from the traditional madrasa system, but also aimed to modernize the naval and the land forces. The educational model in Selim's new establishments drew heavily on the French military literature for inspiration and therefore, translation of major military sources was of utmost importance for the success of Selim's planned reforms. This paper will refer to Constantin Ipsilanti's contributions to Selim's military reform process with his translations of Marquis de Vauban's works, which were highly valued and rewarded by the Sultan.
1.1.The new schools of the new Sultan
Educational reforms date back to an earlier period: Mustafa III (r. 1757- 1774), after the naval defeat at Çeçme, which, according to Mikaberidze was the "worst naval defeat of the Ottomans since Lepanto in 1571"1 had established the Imperial School of Naval Engineering (Mühendishane-I Bahri-i Hümayun) and had modernized the artillery corps. The School was intended for the education and training of ship builders and cartographers. The Imperial School of Naval Engineering had become inactive by the time of...