Abstract:

The appointment of persons to guide diplomatic guests in the country they are, is a very old tradition that is applied in intergovernmental relations. This tradition, seen in both Western and Eastern diplomacy, has been adjusted in the framework of the Ottoman state traditions and the understanding of diplomacy in the Ottoman State. Therefore, officials named Mihmandar were appointed to care for official foreign guests from foreign states. Since the Mikhmandars are believed to represent the honor of the State-i Âliyye in the face of foreign guests, the Mikhmandar has been treated quite rigorously in the election. In general, the messengers chosen from the palace officials have seen the welcoming of diplomatic guests coming to the Ottoman territory and concerned with their needs as long as they are within the country, and in this regard they have served the provision of inter-institutional coordination. In this context, the practice of Mikhmandarism contains important cuts in terms of the Ottoman state and diplomacy tradition and carries a distinctive characteristic of the Ottoman State from the other states.