Kurdish History Journal
Lady Adela Khanum often called the "Princess of the Brave" by the British was a Kurdish noblewoman who became the de facto ruler of the Jaf tribe after her husband's death.
Read article →Kurdish identity is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of history, culture, and the enduring struggle for recognition. In the 21st century, Kurds find themselves at a crossroads, where age-old traditions meet modern aspirations. This blog post will explore the complexities of Kurdish identity today, examining both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead, while also highlighting significant kurdish historical figures and kurdish public figures who have influenced this journey.
Read article →Bedri Pasha’s career connected the Bedirhani family to Ottoman Syria and Istanbul. Archival and memoir research also corrects the commonly repeated date of his death.
Read article →In the 19th-century Kurdish literature, few voices resonate with the purity and depth of Wafayi, a poet whose verses captured the essence of love, nature, and Sufi mysticism.
Read article →Ibrahim Pasha Milli emerged as a formidable figure in the late Ottoman era. Born in 1843 and passing away in 1908, Ibrahim Pasha—often referred to as Milli Ibrahim Pasha.
Read article →The Baban-family administrator and writer, his provincial career and family legacy, with the conflicting birth dates and a similarly named minister distinguished.
Read article →Sheikh Riza Talabani born in 1835 was a multifaceted poet whose verses danced between satire, ribaldry, and poignant reflection, capturing the essence of Kurdish identity.
Read article →The Syrian Civil War, which erupted in 2011, has had far-reaching implications not just for Syria but also for the broader Middle East, particularly for the Kurdish regions. The Kurds have found themselves at the forefront of the war, navigating a complex landscape of alliances and enmities. Understanding the effects of this protracted conflict on Kurdish territories requires delving into the rich tapestry of kurdish history, key kurdish public figures, and the notable kurdish historical fig...
Read article →Born in 1834 and passing in 1907, Mehmed Said Pasha—affectionately or derisively known as "Kürt Said Paşa" due to his Kurdish heritage—served as a linchpin in Ottoman diplomacy.
Read article →Mahwi born in 1830 and passing in 1906, Mahwi—whose full name was Mala Muhamad Osman Ballkhi, or Mullah Muhammad son of Mullah Uthman Balkhi
Read article →In the vibrant artistic landscape of Qajar Iran, where tradition met the winds of modernization, Mirza Mohammad Reza Kalhor stands as a towering figure in the realm of Persian calligraphy.
Read article →Born in 1826 and departing this world in 1881, Wali Dewane—whose full name was Walid Kewikha Muhammed—stands as one of the most poignant figures in 19th-century Kurdish literature.
Read article →Hasan Ali Khan Garrusi, born in 1820 also known as Amir Nezam Garrusi or Salar-e Lashkar was a Kurdish statesman whose life spanned the reigns of three Qajar monarchs.
Read article →Each year, as the spring equinox approaches, the Kurdish people celebrate Newroz, a cultural festival deeply rooted in centuries of kurdish history. Newroz, meaning "New Day" in Persian, marks not just the beginning of a new year but also symbolizes the spirit of freedom, renewal, and hope. This festival is celebrated on the first day of spring, typically around March 21, and is an occasion that unites Kurds across the globe, reinforcing their identity, history, and traditions.
Read article →Haji Qadir Koyi connected Sorani poetry with education, Kurdish writing and national political aspirations. His surviving poems and their later publication show how a nineteenth-century poet became a reference point for subsequent Kurdish writers.
Read article →The Kurdistan Workers' Party, commonly known as the PKK, has played a monumental role in shaping modern Kurdish politics. Understanding the influence of the PKK requires delving into the rich tapestry of kurdish history, the pivotal contributions of kurdish public figures, and the movements that forged the identity of the Kurdish nation over the decades. In this blog post, we will explore the origins of the PKK, its ideals, and how it has impacted Kurdish nationalism, culture, and diplomacy.
Read article →As 2025 unfolded, the political landscape for Kurds and Kurdistan remained a mosaic of cautious optimism, entrenched conflicts, and incremental diplomatic maneuvers. Spread across four nation-states—Turkey (Bakur), Syria (Rojava), Iraq (Bashur), and Iran (Rojhilat)—the Kurds, numbering between 30-40 million, navigated a year marked by the dissolution of armed groups, stalled peace processes, electoral gains, and heightened repression. This comprehensive report, drawing on a synthesis of internat
Read article →The Kurdish Diaspora represents a vibrant and resilient community spread across the globe, holding onto their identity while adapting to new environments. The journey of the Kurdish people is rich with kurdish history, and despite the challenges faced, the Kurdish Diaspora continues to maintain their culture through various means. In this blog post, we will explore the intricacies of how the Kurdish community keeps their heritage alive abroad, looks at prominent kurdish public figures, and r...
Read article →December 2025 brought a new US consulate compound in Erbil, deadly floods, a book fair in Zakho, peace advocacy in Turkey and renewed fighting in Aleppo. This dated review follows those events alongside the arrest of Narges Mohammadi at a lawyer’s memorial in Iran.
Read article →Jafar Qoli Khan rose to prominence as the last effective ruler of the Khoy Khanate in northwestern Iran, only to face defeat, exile, and a dramatic shift in allegiances
Read article →Mustafa Beg Sahebqran, better known by his pen name Kurdî. Born around 1806 or 1812 in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdî stands as one of the foundational pillars of modern Kurdish literature.
Read article →Mawlawi Tawagozi emerged as a luminous figure in Kurdish literary and spiritual history. Born in 1806 and passing in 1882, Mawlawi
Read article →Mah Sharaf Khanom Mastoureh Ardalan emerged as a beacon of intellectual defiance. Born in 1805 in Sanandaj.
Read article →Bedir Khan Beg (1803–1869), the last hereditary ruler of the Emirate of Bohtan, stands as a complex symbol in Kurdish history.
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