Shibli begins with a short description of the ancient and modern history of
Constantinople. He writes about Turkish life,
culture, climate, prosperity, justice, mosques and madrasas, government, law, industry and crafts,
architecture, navigation, and
agriculture. He also describes the structure of colleges and schools, boarding arrangements, the character of professors and students, and their academic abilities. He provides an overview of Turkish knowledge and
literature, including newspapers, magazines, libraries, printing presses, and other scholarly activities. He then describes major landmarks of the capital, such as charitable inns, recreation areas, and well-known sites. His account also includes
Muharram in Constantinople, the royal Friday procession (Salami), and the Sultan’s Eid procession. At the end of these descriptions, he adds one of his own
mathnawis in which he portrays the scene of the occasion. Shibli discusses the morals and customs of the Turks, their social life, and the education and upbringing of women. He mentions their manners, clothing, modesty, and domestic refinement. From Constantinople he travels to
Beirut, where he observes colleges, associations, newspapers, and printing presses, noting that Beirut’s scholarly progress was largely due to
Christian communities. After passing through
Jerusalem and the
Syrian coast, he enters Egypt. There he examines libraries, schools, and colleges, and gives a detailed account of
Al-Azhar University. In the travelogue, he also responds to statements made by some European writers about the
Caliphate. While expressing respect for Arabs and Turks, he also points out the weaknesses he observed in their educational institutions and scholarly work. He discusses psychological and social matters that, in his view, show the nature of a nation and the reasons for its rise or decline. He studies both traditional schools and the medical institutions of Constantinople and
Cairo. He observes student housing, clothing, and daily routines, and offers suggestions for the hostels at
Aligarh based on these observations. He also lists about twenty individuals he met during the journey, including chiefs and companions. Shibli comments on the education of Ottoman women, describing it as a system that combines elements of both European and Asian approaches. He writes that
Turkish women are educated but not taught immodesty, and although they remain within a system of seclusion, they are neither uneducated nor unaware of the world. == Methodology ==