Petros Baronyan or al-Barun al-Mukhtari: The Armenian Visionary Behind the Ottoman Qibla Indicator
Petros Baronyan, also known by his Arabic title al-Barun al-Mukhtari, was an 18th-century Armenian inventor and dragoman (interpreter) who served the Dutch embassy in Istanbul. In 1738, he created a notable Qibla indicator, known as the Qibla-numā-yi āfaqi, to assist Muslims in determining the direction of Mecca for prayer. This instrument featured an engraved map and a list of nearly 400 cities worldwide; each numbered to facilitate easy orientation. His Qibla indicators were innovative for their time, combining practical functionality with artistic design.
According to the information Baronyan provides in the inscription on the instrument, in 1146 AH/1733, he presented Grand Vizier ‘Alī Pasha (1732–1735) with a treatise called Jam-numā fī fann al-Jughrafyā and was subsequently ordered to prepare a rubṭ-i shamsī (a sundial) under the name of rub-i mustadīr (a portable universal equatorial sundial with two rings). For this, he obtained a liberal recompense and, encouraged by it, began work on a new invention: the Qibla indicator. With the support of Ra’īs al-Kuttāb Mustafa Efendi, Baronyan was able to present his device to the new Grand Vizier Yeğen Muhammed Pasha (1737–1739).
The name of the maker, Petros Baronyan, appears in several variants. In the inscription of the Qibla indicators, his name is written as Bārun/Bārūn al-Mukhtari (“Baron the Inventor”), while in his translations, it is recorded as Pitrū Walad Bārūn al-Armanī (پترو ولد بارون الأرمني). The German Orientalist Franz Taeschner referred to him as “Petro veled Baron,” whereas the Turkish historian of science Adnan Adıvar named him Bedros Baronian.
Baronyan was born at an unknown date in the Central Anatolian city of Kayseri. He entered the service of Count Jacobus Colyer (1657–1725), the Dutch ambassador in Istanbul, at an early age and later became the dragoman of the legation of the United Provinces. After Colyer’s death in 1725, Baronyan acted as the ser-tercüman (dragoman-in-chief) of the embassy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in Istanbul.
His Qibla indicators, often crafted with a wooden panel featuring two printed roundels—one depicting the Haram al-Sharif in Mecca with Baronyan’s accompanying description and the other showcasing a world map signed by Abdulwahab Siddiki—were highly valued. These instruments were considered masterpieces of scientific craftsmanship, blending geographical precision with intricate artistic details. The inscriptions provided detailed instructions for use and often included Baronyan’s signature and the date of production.
The original Qibla indicator created by Baronyan in 1738 is housed in the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia – Museo Correr in Venice, Italy. This instrument, known as the Qibla (Mecca indicator) finder panel with case, is an ink and tempera work on paper adhered to wood, framed in painted wood. Its dimensions are approximately 33.9 × 32.7 × 2.6 inches when open and 30.1 × 14.2 × 1.6 inches when closed. The Museo Correr, located in Piazza San Marco, Venice, preserves this artifact as a significant example of Ottoman-era scientific instruments. Those interested in viewing it should check the museum’s current exhibitions, as displays may change over time.
Additionally, replicas and instruments inspired by Baronyan’s original design have been featured in various exhibitions and auctions. A Qibla finder panel made in the style of Baronyan, dated 1764/65 AD, was auctioned by Oriental Art Auctions, reflecting the enduring influence of his work.
