Başçiftlik

Başçiftlik

Başçiftlik is a district of Tokat province. It is 82 km away from Tokat city center. If the geographical location of Başçiftlik, Kelkit Stream, is accepted as the base of an equilateral triangle, Reşadiye-Niksar is located in the corners adjacent to the base, and Başçiftlik is located in the corner opposite the base. In other words, Başçiftlik is surrounded by Aybastı district of Ordu province in the north, Reşadiye district in the east, and Niksar district in the south, and has a total civil border of approximately 130 km². It is located approximately between 37 degrees, 17 minutes east meridians and 40 degrees, 28 minutes north latitude. Başçiftlik is located in the western part of the basin on the Canik Mountains. This basin widens as you go east. There are approximately 15 villages and towns in this basin, which is locally called Iskevsur Plain. The northern and southern parts of this basin are covered by the high peaks of the Canik Mountains. Başçiftlik, which is 1425 meters above sea level, is surrounded by the large Çal Hill in the west, Çartıl in the north, Sivrilce and high hills with Black Pine Forests in the south. The east is covered with plain areas. This plain continues until Bereketli and Bozcalı Towns. There is no sufficient and precise information about the antiquity and foundation date of the district. No archaeological excavations or surface surveys have been conducted in the region. There are some rumors about the establishment of the district. However, these are not based on documents. According to a rumor, the district was founded after the expedition of Fatih Sultan Mehmet to the Trebizond Empire in 1461. According to another rumor, it was founded near the Ayvazönü location in the east of Niksar district. As a matter of fact, the Başçiftlik cemetery at that time is also called by the same name. The people, who were disturbed by the swamps and mosquitoes around Niksar, moved towards the east and settled in the place where today's Başçiftlik district is located, where there are forests and streams. When they returned, they praised: "We found such a place that its grass is hyacinth and its bird is nightingale." Thereupon, first five households from the village people came here, and then the others. Because of these five digits, the name Beşçiftlik was appropriated to this settlement, and over time, this name turned into Başçiftlik.