Draft:Cemalettin Taşkıran

Cemalettin Taşkıran is a Turkish academic, writer, and politician.  

Early life

Cemalettin Taşkıran was born in 1954 in the province of Karaman, Turkey. He completed his primary and secondary education in Karaman before pursuing higher education at Ankara University. During his time at university, Taşkıran focused on Ottoman history and Turkish modernization, which laid the foundation for his academic career in these areas.

Academical Career

Taşkıran served as a faculty member at Ankara University for many years, teaching numerous important courses related to Turkish history. His research primarily concentrated on the late Ottoman period, the Armenian issue, and specifically the events in Van. Additionally, he is a member of the Advisory Board of the Turkish University Students Association, where he has contributed significantly to the development of Turkish universities and the strengthening of academic collaboration.

Works & Researches

His academic interests mainly revolve around Turkish history, the Ottoman period, nationalist movements, and modern Turkey. He has written many articles and books on these subjects.

Taşkıran has conducted significant research on modern Turkish history. His most well-known works include *"Armenian Rebellion at Van"* and *"Ana Ben Ölmedim" (Mother, I’m Not Dead)*.

Publishings

This work is a study on the Armenian nationalist movements and the uprisings they initiated against the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian revolts in Van (which should be considered as two distinct uprisings, the 1860s and the 1915 events) took place during a period of intense tension between the Ottoman Empire and the Armenian people. Taşkıran deeply analyzes the background, organizational structures, and political dynamics of these uprisings.  

Taşkıran’s second work focuses more on social memory and individual trauma. The book examines the effects of historical events such as World War I, the Turkish War of Independence, and the Armenian question on Turkish society, narrated through the dramatic experiences of a family. This work not only offers a historical perspective but also provides a profound analysis of how these painful events are remembered and transmitted across generations.

Armenian Rebellion at Van

Published in 2015, this comprehensive study analyzes the Armenian movements in the late Ottoman Empire, addressing the development of Armenian nationalism, the relationship between these movements and the Ottoman Empire, and their societal impacts.

Published in 2018, this work offers an in-depth study of the Armenian uprisings against the Ottoman Empire and their historical origins.

Published in 2014, this book examines Turkey’s modernization process and its effects on social memory. It investigates the long-lasting impacts of historical events on Turkish society.

Published in 2006, this work explores how the Armenian issue was addressed during the Ottoman period, including various proposed solutions, with a detailed focus on its historical and political dimensions.

Published in 2010, this study examines the Van incidents both in the context of the Ottoman Empire and the early years of the Turkish Republic, exploring their social and political ramifications.

Published in 2012, this research explores the relationship between the Turkish War of Independence and the Armenian uprisings, explaining how the national struggle was shaped by these events.

Published in 2016, this book examines the historical background of Armenian events, the evolution of Turkish-Armenian relations, and their ongoing effects today.

Published in 2011, this work studies the modernization process of Turkish society, the social changes that occurred during this process, and their effects.

In addition to his books, Cemalettin Taşkıran has published numerous articles in scholarly journals. These articles offer in-depth analyses on Ottoman history, Armenian movements, Turkish-Armenian relations, and Turkey’s modernization process. Notable articles include:

Academic Achievements and Contributions

- *Armenian Nationalism and Armenian Uprisings in the Ottoman Empire*  

- *The Armenian Question in the Ottoman Period: An Examination*  

- *Armenian Identity and Nationalism in Turkish History*  

- *The Van Incidents: A Social and Political Study*  

- *The Armenian Question and Social Memory in Modern Turkey*

Taşkıran has conducted extensive research on historical events, particularly focusing on Turkish-Armenian relations, late Ottoman history, ethnic identities, and the historical roots of nationalist movements. He has also made significant contributions to understanding the formation of modern Turkey and its impact on social structures.

Taşkıran serves as a member of the advisory board of the Turkish University Students Association. In this role, he has played an essential part in developing solutions for the educational needs of university students in Turkey. The association aims to improve the national and international prestige of Turkish universities through various projects and to promote cultural exchange among students. Taşkıran’s work in the association focuses on increasing the international visibility of Turkish universities’ scientific research.

Cemalettin Taşkıran is not only recognized for his books and articles but also for his participation in academic conferences and seminars and his support for the development of young scholars. He examines historical events not only as chronological data but also in terms of social dynamics, psychological effects, and cultural imprints.

Other sources

- *Ana Ben Ölmedim* by Cemalettin Taşkıran, İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 2007.  

- "Cemalettin Taşkıran, 'Atatürk and the National Pact Document'," *Yeni Türkiye*, Year 23, Issue 93, Jan-Feb 2017, pp. 619-620.  

- "Armenian Rebellion at Van," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.  

- Taşkıran, Cemalettin. *Armenian Rebellion at Van*, Ankara: Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları, 2002.  

- "Turkish University Students Association Advisory Board," 2024.