Revisionist Constructions of National Identity: The Popularity of Ertugrul Ghazi in Pakistan

Abstract

This research project examines the meteoric rise of the tele-series Dirilis: Ertugrul (2014), released in Pakistan in 2020. It highlights the factors that have contributed to the success of this series by exploring the role of media, historical narratives, and the necessities of Pakistani nationalism that constantly strives to create an Islamic identity for the country. In this respect, we state that while Dirilis: Ertugrul served as a political instrument for the Turkish political party Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, it also stimulated tourism in Turkey and garnered cultural appreciation and interest in Ottoman history as a byproduct. While the show was visually appealing to the Pakistani audience, the study will build upon and expand the argument that Pakistanis have always looked for an Islamic identity that comes from outside the country. In this context, Dirilis: Ertugrul acts as a catalyst for a crisis of identity in Pakistan.