Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan: Pioneer of Kurdish Journalism and Nationalism
- Kurdish History
- Jan 19
- 11 min read
Introduction to Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan
In the turbulent twilight of the Ottoman Empire, amid the clash of imperial ambitions and emerging national identities, figures like Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan emerged as beacons of cultural resilience. Born in 1858 and passing in 1915, Bedir Khan was not just a journalist but a visionary nationalist who founded the first Kurdish-language newspaper, Kurdistan, in 1898. This act alone marked a watershed moment in Kurdish history, laying the groundwork for modern Kurdish media and intellectual discourse. As a scion of the illustrious Bedir Khan family, he bridged the gap between traditional Kurdish nobility and the burgeoning world of print journalism, using his pen to challenge oppression, foster unity, and preserve a people's heritage. In this blog post, we'll delve into his life, from his exiled beginnings to his enduring legacy, exploring how one man's defiance ignited a flame that still burns in Kurdish consciousness today.
Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan - Wikiwand
The Bedir Khan Legacy: A Family Forged in Exile
To understand Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan, one must first grasp the storied history of his family. The Bedir Khans were descendants of the Rozhaki lineage, tracing their roots back to Sharafkhan Bidlisi, a 16th-century Kurdish historian and prince. They claimed even loftier ancestry, linking to Khalid ibn al-Walid, a general under the Prophet Muhammad. By the 19th century, the family ruled the Emirate of Botan, a semi-autonomous Kurdish principality centered in Cizre (now in southeastern Turkey).
Bedir Khan Beg, Mikdad's father, was the last mir (prince) of this emirate, reigning from 1821 to 1847. Known for his military prowess and administrative acumen, Bedir Khan Beg consolidated power over vast territories, fostering a golden age of Kurdish autonomy amid the weakening Ottoman grip.
However, this independence was short-lived. In 1847, following conflicts with Ottoman forces and neighboring powers, Bedir Khan Beg was defeated in a decisive battle near Eruh in Siirt province. The emirate was dismantled, and the family exiled—first to Istanbul, then to Crete, and later scattered across the empire. Bedir Khan Beg himself died in 1869, leaving behind a sprawling progeny: reports vary, but he fathered up to 99 children, with 21 sons surviving him. This exile shaped the Bedir Khan descendants, transforming them from feudal lords into educated elites integrated into Ottoman society yet fiercely proud of their Kurdish heritage.
Mikdad Midhat was born around 1858 in Crete, during this period of familial displacement. His exact birth year is sometimes cited as 1857, but 1858 is more commonly accepted. Growing up in exile, he was detached from the ancestral lands of Botan but immersed in tales of glory and resistance. His upbringing reflected the Ottoman policy of co-option: the empire sought to assimilate Kurdish nobles by educating them in imperial institutions, creating "stakeholders" who viewed themselves as loyal Ottomans while retaining ethnic pride. Historian David Bajalan aptly describes this as producing an "enlightened and educated noblesse oblige."
Little is known about his mother, as historical records focus on the patriarchal lineage. Yet, Mikdad's multilingualism—fluency in Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, and French—hints at a cosmopolitan education influenced by his family's status. Brothers like Abdurrahman and Emin Ali would also become prominent nationalists, underscoring the family's collective role in Kurdish awakening.
Education and Entry into Ottoman Bureaucracy
Mikdad's formal education began upon the family's return to Istanbul. He attended the prestigious Üsküdar Military High School, followed by the Imperial High School at Galatasaray (Mekteb-i Sultanî), institutions designed to groom future Ottoman officials. These schools emphasized modern subjects like languages, history, and administration, aligning with the Tanzimat reforms that aimed to modernize the empire.
After graduation, Mikdad entered the Ottoman bureaucracy, a common path for educated Kurds of noble birth. His roles likely involved administrative duties, possibly in procurement or local governance, though specifics are sparse. This period exposed him to the empire's internal contradictions: while Kurds like him served loyally, policies under Sultan Abdul Hamid II (r. 1876–1909) increasingly centralized power, eroding tribal autonomies and suppressing ethnic expressions.
By the late 1880s, Mikdad's growing disillusionment led to conflict. Around 1889, he was implicated in anti-government unrest, resulting in dismissal and exile to Acre (now in Syria). This marked the beginning of his transformation from bureaucrat to dissident.
Exile to Egypt: A Haven for Dissidents
In 1891, facing mounting persecution, Mikdad fled to Egypt, then under British influence and a refuge for Ottoman exiles. Cairo's vibrant intellectual scene, home to reformers and nationalists, provided fertile ground for his ideas. Here, amid financial hardships, he networked with dissidents, including members of the Young Turk movement, which sought constitutional reform.
Egypt's relative freedom allowed Mikdad to focus on Kurdish issues. He corresponded with intellectuals, advocating for cultural preservation. This exile, lasting until 1908, was pivotal: it was in Cairo that he conceived Kurdistan, the newspaper that would define his legacy.
Founding Kurdistan: The Birth of Kurdish Print Media
On April 22, 1898, Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan launched Kurdistan, the first newspaper in the Kurdish language. Printed at Cairo's Hilal press, the inaugural issue ran 2,000 copies, a modest but revolutionary start. Written in the Kurmanji dialect of Botan using Arabic script, it blended Kurdish with Turkish due to the lack of a standardized language—speakers of other dialects often struggled to comprehend it.
The newspaper's format was simple: four pages of articles on history, literature, poetry, and politics. It targeted literate Kurds, feudal lords, and intellectuals, smuggled into Ottoman territories despite immediate bans. Pilgrims returning from Hajj were searched for copies, and public reading invited persecution.
Mikdad edited the first five issues, critiquing Abdul Hamid II's regime and figures like Mustafa Pasha, who controlled former Botan lands after the 1877-78 Russo-Turkish War. In issue two, he challenged: "Princes and lords of Kurdistan, what have you done for your homeland thus far?" He paid homage to poets like Haji Qadir Koyi and Ahmad Khani, fostering cultural pride.
Challenges abounded: non-Kurdish printers in Cairo caused errors, and Ottoman pressure mounted. In issue five, Mikdad penned an open letter to the sultan requesting permission to print in Istanbul, but it was denied. After five issues, his brother Abdurrahman took over, relocating to Geneva, then London and Folkestone. Total issues reached 31 by 1902, with later editions adding Latin script titles.
Lawmakers recognize Kurdish Journalism Day in honor of first ...
Content and Impact: Sparking National Consciousness
Kurdistan's content was multifaceted. It reported on Young Turk activities, supporting the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) as a bulwark against Hamidian absolutism. Historians Gary Stansfield and Mohammed Sharif note it "distinguished itself as a forum for opposing the Hamidian regime." Articles advocated restoring the 1876 Constitution to resolve Ottoman and Kurdish woes.
Culturally, it introduced Kurds to their history: features on Saladin, Marwanids, and the Bedir Khans reinforced identity. Politically, it called for unity amid tribal disunity, education in Kurdish, and autonomy within the empire.
Impact was profound despite limited circulation. Low literacy (under 10% among Kurds) and interception risks constrained reach, but it pioneered print media, validating Kurdish as a language of resistance. It influenced later publications like Hawar and established April 22 as Kurdish Journalism Day, celebrated annually with events emphasizing free press.
Nationalist Activities: From Reform to Revolution
Mikdad's journalism intertwined with activism. In 1899, with brother Ali Bey, he attempted a national revolution—details vague, but it failed. He engaged with CUP, viewing it as an ally against centralization.
In 1902, he attended the Paris Congress of Ottoman Opposition, pushing for Kurdish self-administration. Exiled again in 1906 for his views, he returned post-1908 Young Turk Revolution.
Back in Istanbul, he founded the "Kurdish Society for the Dissemination of Education" in 1910, promoting literacy and culture. He reportedly governed Dersim briefly, applying reformist ideas.
However, CUP's shift to Turkification alienated him. By 1912, learning of plans to suppress Kurdish nationalism, the family exiled themselves again.
Return, Re-Exile, and Final Years
The 1908 Revolution brought hope: the Bedir Khans returned, but disillusionment followed. Mikdad criticized CUP policies eroding Kurdish rights. Re-exile in 1912 led to wandering, possibly in Europe or the Middle East.
His death in 1915 (some sources say 1917) remains shrouded. Likely amid World War I chaos and Ottoman suppression, including the Armenian Genocide's ripple effects on minorities. No grand funeral marked his passing, reflecting the era's turmoil.
Legacy: Echoes in Modern Kurdistan
Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan's legacy endures. His newspaper birthed Kurdish journalism, inspiring descendants like Celadet Ali Bedir Khan, who standardized the Latin-based Kurdish alphabet, and Kamuran Bedir Khan, a linguist.
Today, April 22 commemorates his work, with leaders like Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani praising journalism as a "pillar of democracy." In a world where Kurds span Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, his call for unity resonates.
Mikdad's life embodies resilience: from exiled prince to nationalist scribe, he wielded words as weapons. As Kurdish media thrives—from satellite TV to online platforms—his spirit lives on, reminding us that ink can outlast empires.
Timeline of Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan's Life
Year | Event |
1803 | Birth of his father, Bedir Khan Beg, who later became the Mir of the Emirate of Botan in 1821. |
1847 | Defeat of Bedir Khan Beg by Ottoman forces; the family is exiled, first to Istanbul and then to Crete. |
1858 | Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan is born in Crete during the family's exile (some sources cite 1857 or circa 1857–1858). |
1869 | Death of Bedir Khan Beg, leaving behind a large family including Mikdad. |
Late 1870s–1880s | Receives education in Istanbul at Üsküdar Military High School and the Imperial High School at Galatasaray; enters Ottoman bureaucracy. |
~1889 | Implicated in anti-government unrest; dismissed from bureaucracy and exiled to Acre (now in Syria). |
1891 | Flees to Egypt, a haven for Ottoman dissidents, amid persecution. |
1898 (April 22) | Founds and publishes the first issue of Kurdistan, the inaugural Kurdish-language newspaper, in Cairo; edits the first five issues. |
1899 | Attempts a national revolution with his brother Ali Bey, though it fails. |
1902 | Attends the Paris Congress of Ottoman Opposition, advocating for Kurdish self-administration. |
1902 (March 14) | Last issue of Kurdistan published in Geneva (total of 31 issues over four years, with publication moving to Egypt, England, and Switzerland). |
1906 | Exiled again due to his political views and opposition to the Hamidian regime. |
1908 | Returns to the Ottoman Empire following the Young Turk Revolution; becomes active in the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP). |
1910 | Helps establish the “Kurdish Society for the Dissemination of Education”; reportedly serves as governor of Dersim for a period. |
1912 | Goes into self-exile again upon learning of CUP plans to suppress Kurdish nationalism. |
1915 | Dies amid the chaos of World War I (some sources suggest 1917). |
Key Events in Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan's Life
Family Exile and Early Life (1847–1880s)
Mikdad was born into a legacy of resistance and displacement. His father, Bedir Khan Beg, the last Mir of the Emirate of Botan, was defeated by Ottoman forces in 1847, leading to the family's exile to Crete. Growing up in this environment, Mikdad was immersed in tales of Kurdish autonomy while receiving a modern education in Istanbul's elite schools. This period shaped his multilingual abilities (Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, French) and his entry into the Ottoman bureaucracy, blending loyalty to the empire with ethnic pride.
Exile to Egypt and Founding of Kurdistan (1891–1898)
Facing persecution for anti-government activities around 1889, Mikdad was exiled to Acre before fleeing to Egypt in 1891. Cairo's intellectual milieu allowed him to network with dissidents. His crowning achievement came on April 22, 1898, when he launched Kurdistan, the first Kurdish-language newspaper. Printed in Kurmanji using Arabic script, it critiqued the Ottoman regime, promoted cultural unity, and featured historical and literary content. Mikdad edited the initial five issues, which were smuggled into Ottoman lands despite bans.
Nationalist Activism and Relocations (1899–1906)
In 1899, Mikdad and his brother Ali Bey attempted a Kurdish national revolution, which ultimately failed. The newspaper continued under his brother Abdurrahman's editorship, relocating to Geneva, London, and Folkestone, producing 31 issues by 1902. Mikdad attended the 1902 Paris Congress, pushing for Kurdish reforms. His outspoken views led to another exile in 1906, highlighting his role in opposing Sultan Abdul Hamid II's absolutism.
Return, Reforms, and Final Exile (1908–1915)
The 1908 Young Turk Revolution brought hope, allowing the Bedir Khan family to return. Mikdad engaged with the CUP and co-founded the Kurdish Society for the Dissemination of Education in 1910, focusing on literacy and cultural preservation. He briefly governed Dersim. However, the CUP's Turkification policies disillusioned him, leading to self-exile in 1912. His death in 1915 occurred during World War I's turmoil, marking the end of an era for early Kurdish nationalism.
Q&A Section: Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan
Here are some frequently asked questions about Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan, the pioneering Kurdish journalist and nationalist. These draw from historical accounts of his life and legacy.
Who was Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan?
Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan (1858–1915) was a Kurdish intellectual, journalist, and nationalist from the prominent Bedir Khan family. He is best known for founding Kurdistan, the first Kurdish-language newspaper in 1898, which played a crucial role in fostering Kurdish cultural and political awareness during the late Ottoman Empire.
What was his family background?
Mikdad was born into the Bedir Khan dynasty, descendants of Kurdish nobility who ruled the Emirate of Botan until its defeat by Ottoman forces in 1847. His father, Bedir Khan Beg, was the last mir (prince) of the emirate and fathered a large family. The Bedir Khans were exiled multiple times, which influenced Mikdad's life of displacement and activism. Many of his siblings, like Abdurrahman and Emin Ali, also became key figures in Kurdish nationalism.
Where and when was he born and how did he die?
He was born around 1858 (some sources say 1857) in Crete, during his family's exile from the Ottoman Empire. Mikdad died in 1915 amid the chaos of World War I and Ottoman suppressions of minorities. Some accounts suggest 1917, but the circumstances of his death remain unclear, likely due to the era's political turmoil.
What was the significance of the newspaper Kurdistan?
Kurdistan was revolutionary as the first newspaper published in the Kurdish language, starting on April 22, 1898, in Cairo. Mikdad edited the initial issues, which critiqued the Ottoman regime under Sultan Abdul Hamid II, promoted Kurdish unity, education, and cultural heritage. It ran for 31 issues until 1902, despite bans and smuggling challenges, and is credited with sparking modern Kurdish journalism. April 22 is now celebrated as Kurdish Journalism Day.
What education did he receive and how did it influence his career?
Mikdad was educated in elite Ottoman institutions, including Üsküdar Military High School and the Imperial High School at Galatasaray in Istanbul. This modern education equipped him with multilingual skills (Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, French) and led to a bureaucratic career. However, his growing disillusionment with Ottoman policies turned him toward journalism and nationalism, using his knowledge to advocate for Kurdish rights.
Why was he exiled multiple times?
Mikdad's exiles stemmed from his opposition to Ottoman centralization and absolutism. Around 1889, he was dismissed and sent to Acre for anti-government activities. He fled to Egypt in 1891, was exiled again in 1906, returned after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution, and self-exiled in 1912 due to the Committee of Union and Progress's Turkification policies. These displacements fueled his activism.
What other nationalist activities was he involved in?
Beyond journalism, Mikdad attempted a failed national revolution in 1899 with his brother Ali Bey. He attended the 1902 Paris Congress of Ottoman Opposition to advocate for Kurdish self-administration. In 1910, he co-founded the Kurdish Society for the Dissemination of Education to promote literacy and culture. He also briefly governed Dersim, applying reformist ideas.
How has his legacy endured?
Mikdad's work laid the foundation for Kurdish media and nationalism. His descendants, like Celadet Ali Bedir Khan, advanced Kurdish linguistics. Today, his newspaper inspires modern Kurdish outlets, and his efforts for unity resonate in regions like Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Leaders in the Kurdistan Region continue to honor his contributions to free press and identity.
References
This section lists the key sources referenced throughout the blog post, timeline, key events, and Q&A on Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan. Sources are drawn from reliable biographical, historical, and academic materials.
"Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan." Grokipedia. https://grokipedia.com/page/mikdad_midhat_bedir_khan.
"Miqdad Midhat Bedirxan: Founder of the first Kurdish newspaper." Kurdish Globe. Published January 11, 2026. https://kurdishglobe.krd/miqdad-midhat-bedirxan-founder-of-the-first-kurdish-newspaper.
"Miqdad Madhat Badirkhan." Kurdipedia. Published July 31, 2022. https://kurdipedia.org/default.aspx?lng=8&q=20220731150204425722.
"Mikdad Midhat Bedir Khan." Wikidata. Published February 17, 2025. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7186072.
"The Minority Question: A View from History and the Kurdish Periphery." Academic OUP. https://academic.oup.com/book/1649/chapter/141182218.
"The Journal Rojî Kurd." Inlibra PDF. https://www.inlibra.com/document/download/pdf/uuid/d10c2479-5eef-36e0-aa19-5bec2a973ca9.
"Kurdistan: A Land of Longing and Struggle." Core PDF. https://files01.core.ac.uk/download/pdf/12827387.pdf.
"File:Bedirkhan family, ca 1880.jpg." Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bedirkhan_family,_ca_1880.jpg.
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