02.12.2025 20:42
The grave of Mustafa Asım Efendi, known by the pen name 'Kerimi' and referred to as "Beybaba" among the public, whose burial place has been unknown for many years in Aydın, has been uncovered as a result of research conducted by researcher-writer Selman Giritoğlu and historian Dr. Hilmi Anaç.
The grave of Mustafa Asım Efendi, known as "Beybaba" among the public, whose burial place has been unknown for many years in Aydın, has been uncovered as a result of research.
Born in Istanbul in 1851, Kerimi served as a high-ranking official during the Ottoman period and spent the last 20 years of his life in Aydın. Also recognized as a poet, Kerimi left behind numerous divan works. During the Greek occupation, Kerimi's mansion in Aydın was burned, and many of his works were lost. To date, nearly 180 of Kerimi's works have been collected.
While it is known that many researchers and writers have conducted studies and writings on Kerimi's poetry and works, a detailed study on the location of his grave had not been carried out for years. According to the information obtained so far, it is said that Kerimi's grave is under a fig tree in the garden of the house where he lived, but the exact location and identification studies were unknown.
Researcher and writer Selman Giritoğlu and historian Dr. Hilmi Anaç, after their paths crossed, identified the location of Mustafa Asım Efendi's (Kerimi) house and uncovered his grave after 105 years. Anaç and Giritoğlu, who reached the third-generation grandson of Kerimi, want the grave of Asım Kerimi, known as Aydın's Beybaba, to be officially recognized.
"THIS JOURNEY BEGAN WHILE SEARCHING FOR MY ROOTS" Researcher and writer Selman Giritoğlu, who narrates his journey leading to Asım Kerimi, said, "I was researching my family's genealogy, and after finding my great-grandfather's grave in Denizli, I learned who my greatest grandfather was. While researching my grandfather, I coincidentally learned about Asım Kerimi Baba. When I found out that my great-grandfather's name was also Asım Baba, I became curious. My great-grandfather Asım Baba was born in 1900, and Asım Kerimi Baba lived in Denizli until the 1900s and continued his civil service there.
Upon this, I started researching Asım Kerimi Baba and learned that his grave was in Aydın. However, the exact location of the grave was not known. It was only mentioned that it was in the garden of a house. I didn't know anyone in Aydın. Therefore, I used the power of social media and came across Hilmi Hocam while researching. I later contacted him and explained the situation. He kindly took an interest and, as a result of his research, identified the location of the grave. Dr. Bedri Noyan, who is one of the beloved figures in Aydın, had also researched Asım Kerimi's life and compiled many of his works.
Nearly 180 divans of Asım Kerimi have been created. I came to Aydın to gather these works and find a few tangible documents. With the support of Hilmi Hocamız, we contacted the family elders. We reached Nusret Özkan Anıl Amca, the third-generation grandson of Kerimi Baba. We met with him and saw the grave on-site. At the time of Asım Kerimi's death, Aydın was under Greek occupation. He passed away in 1920. During that period, these areas were in complete chaos, and as a result of the suitability of his house's garden, he was buried there. We have taken it upon ourselves to carry this legacy. According to official sources, there is currently no grave there.
Our goal is to have the grave of Asım Kerimi Baba officially recognized. Asım Kerimi is not well-known in Aydın. This person lived in Aydın and helped many people. He was also someone who greatly contributed to preserving Aydın's culture. During that time, Mustafa Asım Efendi was a beloved opinion leader known as 'Beybaba' in Aydın. 'Kerimi' is his pen name. He was born in Istanbul in 1851 and was appointed to civil service at a young age. He served in many provinces in succession. While serving in Denizli, he established his life by marrying Fitnat Hanım, the daughter of one of the prominent families of Denizli, the Saraçzade family. His last duty was in Aydın, where he completed the last 20 years of his life. My journey began while searching for my roots, and I believe we will serve a very meaningful purpose. We want the grave of Aydın's Beybaba to be officially recognized," he said.
"THEY THOUGHT WE WERE TREASURE HUNTERS" Historian Dr. Hilmi Anaç, who spoke about the research process he conducted to find the grave, said, "While working on Aydın, I crossed paths with Selman Bey, and he explained the situation. I had been asked about Asım Kerimi before, but I had not conducted field research. After Selman Bey's explanation, I started field research. I spoke with the opinion leaders in the neighborhood and our elders. In fact, at first, they thought we were treasure hunters. We spoke with an elderly man we reached. He said that the grave was under the fig tree in the garden. When we went there, we were shocked. We found two graves side by side under the fig tree, and when we compared them with the data we had, we confirmed the identification.
Then I got in touch with Mr. Selman. I found a house that matches the descriptions, and I told him to come.
Until my teacher arrived, I did more detailed research and came across a vast history about Asım Kerimi Baba. Because he was a very beloved man in Aydın. While doing more detailed research, I found his record in the Sicill-i Osmanî Zeyli. Here, the biographies of officials in the Ottoman Empire are found. We saw that we were facing a gentleman from Istanbul, a person who spoke French and was proficient in Eastern and Western languages. I think it is very important for such a person to come to Aydın and be appreciated there. Of course, I continued my studies. Later, to confirm, I looked at the state annuals and found his name in the 1910 State Salnâmesi. His name appears as the Telegraph and Postal Director Mustafa Asım Efendi in the Aydın Sanjak, in the list of officials. When I researched, I found that Mustafa Asım Efendi's name appears in the state annuals. He was an active and well-known person in Aydın from 1895 to 1910. Then I continued my research. I came across Kemal Özkaynak's book "Aydın Poets and Authors." I looked to see if there was any information about Asım Kerimi Baba and reached serious information. This book, published in 1944, also contained biographical information. It overlapped with the information I had obtained," he said.
"IF NOT REGISTERED, THE TRACES OF THE GRAVE WILL DISAPPEAR FOREVER" Dr. Anaç stated that Mustafa Asım Efendi also spent his mature years as a poet in Aydın; "He wrote his best divans in Aydın. However, it is recorded that these divans were burned in the Great Aydın Fire. We learned that Asım Baba was very loved in Aydın and that he was known as Beybaba. In other words, we learned that the people in the periphery loved and respected him like an elder brother, a community leader. The person we are talking about is Aydın's Beybaba. He was such a beloved person. Meanwhile, when we checked the house with Mr. Selman, we also reached the family. We contacted Nusret Beyefendi, the grandson from the third generation, and spoke with him. We told him that this grave needs to be registered. Because if this grave is not registered, one day concrete will be poured here, a road will pass, and the traces of this grave will disappear forever. As a result of the research we conducted with Mr. Selman, we have clearly revealed the grave of Asım Kerimi Baba after 105 years, and we want it to be registered," he said.