Ahi Çelebi (1432–1522) was anOttoman physician in the 15th and early 16th centuries. His name was Mahmut, but he was better known as Ahi Çelebi.Ahi refers toAhi Evren, who founded the fraternity civil organization of the artisans in the 13th century andÇelebi was an honorific title.
He was born in 1432. His father Kemaleddin was a physician inKastamonu, then the capital ofCandaroğlu Beylik, abeylik (principality) in northwestAnatolia. Ahi was trained by his father. In 1461 the beylik was annexed byMehmet II of the Ottoman Empire. Kemaleddin and Ahi moved toIstanbul to continue practice. In Istanbul following the death of his father, Ahi collaborated with Altunizade and Kudbüttin, two famous physicians of the time. He gained a reputation as an able doctor and the sultanBayezit II (r.1481–1512) appointed him to the chief doctor post of the palace.[1]
After the abdication of Beyazıt in 1512, he resigned as the custom dictated. ButSelim I (1512–1520), the new sultan, reappointed him to his former post where he continued to the end of Selim's reign. After Selim's death he resigned and went tohajj (pilgrim) in 1522. During his return voyage, he died inCairo (now in Egypt) and was laid to rest in themosque ofal-Shafi'i.[2]
Ahi Çelebi died a very wealthy man. He had about 40 villages inRumelia, markets and ahamam in Istanbul. He endowed most of his wealth to build amadrasa inEdirne and a mosque in Istanbul.[2]
