Transcriber's note:
Errors and inconsistencies in accented words, mostly
related to Arabic and Turkish names, have been taken care
as much as possible, without attempting however to make a
major revision and overhaul of the original text.
ANNALS
OF
THE TURKISH EMPIRE,
FROM
1591 TO 1659 OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.
BY NAIMA.
TRANSLATED FROM THE TURKISH,
BY
CHARLES FRASER.
[Illustration]
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE ORIENTAL TRANSLATION FUND
OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
SOLD BY
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET; AND PARBURY, ALLEN, & CO.,
LEADENHALL STREET.
M.DCCC.XXXII.
LONDON:
Printed by J. L. COX and SON, Great Queen Street,
Lincoln’s-Inn Fields.
TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.
History, it has been well observed, is, of all other branches of
human knowledge, the most attractive, and best rewards the efforts of
research. Even the history of the most ignorant and barbarous nations
that have ever peopled the globe, may furnish something, either in
their modes of government, in their forms of religion, or in their
manners, customs, and laws, which is calculated to amuse or instruct.
The knowledge of the springs and motives of human actions, and of
their consequent effects, whether auspicious or inauspicious, and
which operate more or less powerfully on the destinies of the human
race, is, by this channel, conveyed to our minds with a distinctness,
perspicuity, and force which cannot, by any possibility, be gained in
any other way.
By the investigation of history we become acquainted with points of
character of the utmost importance, and arrive at the conviction that
good and evil are, in some way or other, combined and interwoven in
the affairs of life: and we may often, without difficulty, trace the
happiness or misery of millions of human beings to the act of a single
individual; and perceive that impressions have thereby been made that
stamp, for ages, the moral and intellectual character of mankind.
Without adverting to the rise and downfall of the Roman Empire, out
of the dismemberment of which have arisen the principal States of
Europe, we would merely refer, at present, to the rise, progress, and
establishment of Mohammedanism, the followers of which conquered, sword
in hand, the whole of the rich and fertile provinces possessed by that
empire in the East.
To trace the rise, progress, and final establishment of the Mohammedan
power, from its commencement under Mohammed Mustafa, the prophet of
Islamism, and its successive triumphs under the Khalifs, his immediate
successors, would be to detail a series of revolutions and successions
of dynasties, the most eventful and extensive, the most disastrous and
appalling, that have ever taken place on the theatre of our world.
On this department of deep and lasting interest, though it be amply
fitted to remunerate the labour of investigation, it is not our
intention, did we possess the vanity to conceive ourselves competent
for the task, to enter. Moreover, it is unnecessary; because this
department of history, in regard at least to its great and leading
features, has already been fully and accurately traced and brought
within our reach by others, whose talents and means of information
rendered them qualified for the undertaking, and whose services, in
this respect, can hardly be too much valued.
Our real purpose in offering these few general remarks, is with the
view of introducing to the reader’s notice the learned and laborious
Turkish annalist, NAIMA, who favoured his countrymen with a connected
narrative of the most important and interesting events which had
transpired within the Turkish dominions for the space of seventy years.
In this he has given a detailed account of all the wars, offensive
and defensive, foreign and domestic, in which the Turks had been
engaged during that period, besides other incidents of importance,
and negociations and treaties, friendly and commercial, with foreign
powers. The importance and value of this author’s labours induce us to
recommend to the reader’s perusal the annexed volume of Translation,
which contains within its pages the first twenty-eight years of the
above Narrative or History, or about one-fourth of the whole work. We
shall reserve for a succeeding paragraph, our remarks on this work,
and in the meantime proceed to observe in general, that the foundation
of the Turkish power seems to have begun with the accession of Osmán
or Othman I. to the rank of emír of the Oguzian tribe of Tátárs in
room of Ortogrul, his father, the last sultán of Iconium, who died
A.D. 1299. Osmán, at the head of this warlike horde, in the course of
a very few years conquered and possessed himself of several of the
provinces of Asia Minor, assumed the title of Sultán in 1300, and
fixed his residence in Yení-Sheher, a city of Anatolia. Orkhan, his
son and successor, acquired possession of Brúsa, Nice, and Nicomedia
in Bithynia, by force of arms; the first of which the Osmánlí Sultáns
made for a time their capital. In short, such was the success which
attended the Ottoman arms, that, in the course of fifty or sixty years,
they overwhelmed, and subjugated to their sway, the whole of the Roman
empire in the east; absorbed the whole strength and energy of Moslem
dominion; and became, and continue to be to this day, the chief bulwark
of Islám and of Mohammedan despotism.
Naima commences his history of the Turkish empire with the year of the
Hijrah or Hejeret 1000 (A.D. 1591), and brings it down to the year 1070
of the same era. This work was probably intended by its author to form
the supplement or continuation of the history composed by Sa’d-úd-dín,
which commences with the origin of the Turkish power, and brings down
the narrative of events to 926 (A.D. 1526).
Naima’s Annals consist of two large volumes folio, which were printed
at Constantinople in the year of the Hijrah 1147, being the twelfth
printed work which issued from the imperial press of Constantinople.
In six years afterwards, Ráshid’s History, and the Annals of Chelebí
Zádeh, followed, having issued from the same press, and are a
continuation of Naima.
Of Naima himself we have not been able to collect any certain
information; nor do we know at what period he lived: but we conjecture
he must have been contemporary, or nearly so, with Kátib Chelebí,[1]
author of the Fezliké, to which work Naima sometimes refers. As a
narrator of facts, however, we think, from what we have read of
him, we have just cause to accuse him of partiality and occasional
exaggeration, into which the historian ought never to be betrayed. But
where, we would venture to ask, is there one of this class of writers
who stands entirely acquitted of these defects? To a Turk, however,
the Annals of Naima possess that same sort of importance which we, in
similar circumstances, are accustomed to attach to a work of the like
nature amongst ourselves. The Turk, we have no doubt, will consider,
as sound doctrine, the defects to which we have referred, and that
too without hesitation and without enquiry; because they are entirely
congenial to his creed and modes of thinking.
Of the annexed translation we have only one word to say, and that is,
that we have exercised all possible care to translate honestly and
fairly, and this being all we undertook to accomplish, we leave it to
speak for itself.
THE TRANSLATOR.
_Edinburgh, May 24th 1832._
N.B.—In the following work the system of Sir William Jones, in the
orthography of Oriental words, has been used as far as the nature of
the Turkish language would permit. The accented vowels have the same
sounds as in Italian; and the unaccented, the short sounds, as _a_ in
_bat_, _i_ in _lily_, &c. The consonants have the sound usually given
them in our own language.
AUTHOR’S PREFACE.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL AND MOST GRACIOUS GOD!
The thousandth year of the Hijrah commenced on the first of
Moharrem—which is also the Sabbath-day (Saturday)—and is the three
hundred and fifty-fourth thousand four hundred and ninety-ninth day of
the Prophet’s flight.
This year of happy omen, connected with antecedent time, makes the
184693d year, and the 5350th of the Jewish era; but, according
to Melek’l-mowid’s mode of reckoning, is the 7216th year. The
thousandth year of the Hijrah is the 4974th from Noah’s flood, but
which, according to the calculations of astronomers, falls short of
that period by a space of 270 years: and the 2807th of the supreme
conjunction; the 2338th of the era of Nebuchadnossar; the 1901st of the
era of Alexander; the 1590th of the Christian era; the 1360th of the
Copts; the 959th of the Yezdijerd (the ancient Persian era); the 533rd
of Jellali (the modern Persian era); and the 167th year of the middle
or intermediate supreme conjunction.
Writers of defective intelligence have introduced a multitude of
opinions into their writings, which go on to say, among other things,
that when the thousandth year of the Hijrah was once over, the day of
the resurrection would immediately arrive, or if it should not then
arrive, it would, most certainly, not extend beyond thirty lunar years
(_i. e._ the intercalary and other years of that period of time). In
this particular they not only assumed weak and ill-founded premises,
but, as might be expected, have written incorrectly on the subject.
Witness, for instance, their speculations concerning the completion of
the moon’s revolutions, whence they affirm, that the Prophet (on whom
be blessing and peace) should not remain in his grave till the thousand
years expired, and other similar records, which, however, are at once
at variance with true philosophy and sound theology. Several writers
not attending to these things have, through ignorance or carelessness,
given currency in their writings to statements which are utterly
without foundation, and therefore contrary to the received canon.
CONTENTS.
Page
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1000 OF THE HIJRAH.
The Grand Vezír, Ferhád Páshá, deposed, and the Vezírship conferred
on Síávush Páshá 1
The Militia of Tabríz 2
The Muftí Effendí, Bostánízádeh, deposed, and Zekeríá Effendí
appointed in his stead 3
Disturbance on the Confines of Bosnia and Hungary—Movements of the
Infidels 4
News from the East 5
Concerning learned Men 5
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1001, H.
The Spáhís create a Disturbance in the Diván 11
The Grand Vezír, Síávush Páshá, deposed 12
A Rupture betwixt the Ottomans and the Austrians 13
The Grand Vezír, Sinán Páshá, determines on carrying the War into
Hungary 16
The Enemy advances to Belgrade 19
Felk falls into the hands of the Enemy 20
The Faithless are chastised 22
The base and ignoble Infidels besiege Khutván 23
The Siege of Osterghún 24
The Request of the Prime Minister—The Succour of the magnificent
Emperor 27
Yanuk laid siege to 29
The Moslem Warriors begin an Assault 30
EVENTS OF THE YEARS 1005, H.
The Conquest of Yanuk 31
Komran laid siege to 33
Concerning the bad Management of the Commander-in-Chief; his Error
and Failure in some other Matters 35
The Waiwoda of Moldavia rebels 36
Concerning the Insurrection occasioned by Michael, Waiwoda of
Valachia 37
Death of Sultán Murád III. 39
The late Emperor’s Age—The time of his Reign—Some of his virtues
and good deeds described 41
Vezírs contemporary with Sultán Murád Khán 42
Learned Men contemporary with Sultán Murád Khán 44
Reverend Doctors contemporary with Murád Khán 46
Facts relative to the new Emperor, Sultán Mohammed Khán III. 48
Insurrection of the Valachians and Moldavians 49
Ferhád Páshá makes preparations for War 50
The Spáhís raise a Tumult 51
Ferhád Páshá prepares to set out for Valachia 53
Continuation of Ferhád’s Affairs 55
Ferhád arrives on the Banks of the Danube 55
Ferhád is deposed—Sinán Páshá raised to the Premiership 56
Sinán Páshá’s Operations in Valachia 59
A Council held—A Fortress built 61
Concerning the Enemy’s Operations on the Frontiers 61
The Moslem Army advances to Osterghún, and is defeated 62
The apostate Michael gains a Victory 63
The Fortress of Yerkok taken 65
Osterghún delivered up to the Enemy 66
Vishégrade is taken by the Enemy 66
The Grand Vezír deposed—Lálá Mohammed Páshá made Grand Vezír 66
Sinán Páshá is made Grand Vezír a fifth time 67
Sinán Páshá’s Counsel to the Emperor 68
Sinán Páshá’s Death—Ibrahím Páshá is made Grand Vezír 69
Strife and Contention between Sa’d-úd-dín Effendí and the Muftí 69
The Emperor of the Moslems prepares to set out for the Seat of War 71
A Council held 73
Agria besieged 74
The Moslems are threatened by another immense Host of Infidels 77
Jafer Páshá sent with a body of Troops to surprise the Enemy 79
The Orthodox Army advances to meet the Enemy 82
The Battle of the First Day 84
The Battle of the Second Day—The Defeat of the Enemy 85
The Premiership conferred on Jaghaleh Zádeh Sinán Páshá 91
The Fugitives punished 92
The conquering Moslems return to Agria 93
The Emperor returns to Constantinople 94
Jaghaleh, the Grand Vezír, deposed—Ibrahím is re-appointed 94
Concerning Fateh Gheráí 97
New Appearances of Hostilities 99
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1006, H.
A Council held—The Army marches on Wáj 102
The Grand Vezír, Ibrahím Páshá, deposed—Khádem Hasan Páshá
succeeds to the Premiership 106
Jeráh Mohammed Páshá raised to the Premiership 109
The Enemy gains advantage at Yanuk by stratagem 109
The Moslems determine on attacking Warad 112
State of Affairs in Bassra 114
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1007, H.
Account of the late Expedition, continued from last Year 115
Warad besieged 119
Concerning the Fall of Besperim, Polata, Tata, and the Siege
of Buda 125
Khádem Háfiz Ahmed Páshá routed at Nicopolis by the odious
Michael 127
The Grand Vezírship conferred a third time on Ibrahím Páshá 129
Satúrjí Mohammed Páshá murdered—Etmekjí Zádeh imprisoned 131
Strange Conduct of the new Grand Vezír, Ibrahím Páshá 133
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1008, H.
Account of Ibrahím Páshá’s further Operations 136
The French Soldiers stationed at Papa join the Osmánlís 140
Laudable Qualities of Ibrahím Páshá 142
Concerning Abulhelím 144
The State of Yemen (Arabia-felix) 146
Ibrahím Páshá’s Movements against Kaniza 146
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1009, H.
Kaniza taken 153
Hájí Ibrahím Páshá defeated by Kara Yazíjí (Scrivano) 157
The odious Michael’s Troops defeated 159
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1010, H.
The Grand Vezír Ibrahím Páshá’s death—Yemishjí Hasan Páshá
succeeds him in the Premiership 160
Concerning Tarnákjí Hasan Páshá going to Kaniza 164
The Enemy return to lay siege to Kaniza 165
The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief, Yemishjí Hasan Páshá,
marches against the Enemy 166
Kaniza is besieged 168
Arrival of the Arch-Duke Mathias 179
Some further Account of the Affairs relative to Kaniza—The Arrival
of the Commander-in-Chief at Sigetwar 197
State of Matters in the East—Concerning Scrivano 199
Some other Events of this Year—Karah Yázijí dies in the Mountains
of Jánbeg 200
Concerning the rebel Delí Hasan, the Brother of Karah Yázijí—Hasan
Páshá, the Commander-in-Chief, falls a Martyr 201
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1011, H.
Hasan Páshá recovers Alba Julia 202
The Commander-in-Chief conducts an Expedition into Transylvania 204
Pest taken—Buda is besieged 206
Ghází Gheráí Khán arrives with a Tátár Army 210
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1012, H.
Advantage gained by the Rebel Delí Hasan—Mahmúd Páshá is appointed
in the room of Khosrú Páshá 211
Several changes take place 212
Concerning Ghaznafer Aghá and Osmán Aghá, ághá of the Palace 212
Yemishjí Hasan Páshá returns to Constantinople 213
Mahmúd Páshá reports these Proceedings to the Emperor, who refuses
to sanction the Deed of the Muftí 215
Poiráz Osmán and other Rebels executed 221
Other Affairs of this Period 226
Concerning the Operations of the new Commander-in-Chief, Mohammed
Páshá 229
The Grand Vezír Yemishjí Hasan Páshá deposed—Dies a violent death 234
Kásim Páshá is made Governor of Constantinople 239
The Commencement of a Rupture with Persia 240
The Sháh of Persia marches upon Tabríz 242
The Capture of Nakhcheván 248
Death of Sultán Mohammed Khán, son of Murád Khán 249
Of learned Men 251
Concerning Grand Vezírs and other Great Men 251
Concerning the Ulemá, or higher order of Ecclesiastics 253
Of the Mesháiekh, or Priests 254
The Arrival of the Fleet—Concerning the Grand Vezír, Yávuz Alí
Páshá 258
Alí Páshá, Grand Vezír, is appointed Commander-in-Chief over
the Troops employed against Hungary, and Jeghala Zádeh is
appointed to the command in the East 259
A variety of Changes in the Ecclesiastical and Military
Establishments 260
Some further Account of Delí Hasan (Brother of Scrivano) 262
Continuation of the Account of the War carried on against
the Heretics—The Sháh reduces Reván 263
The Sháh conquers Shirwán 264
Kars is besieged—Other Acts of Hostility by the Red Heads 265
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1013, H.
The Grand Vezír, Alí Páshá, sets out for Belgrade 267
Lálá Mohammed Páshá succeeds Alí Páshá in all his Offices 274
The Infidels abandon Pest 275
The Fortress of Wáj conquered 276
Osterghún is laid siege to 276
Concerning Botchkai 279
A Battle fought between the Germans and Hungarians 281
Concerning the Defeat of Kásim Páshá 283
Sárukjí Mustafa Páshá is made Deputy of Constantinople—Other
Promotions take place 285
Sárukjí Mustafa is murdered—Súfí Sinán succeeds him 286
The Emperor goes to hunt—Sultán Osmán Khán is born 287
The Grand Vezír, Lálá Mohammed Páshá, returns to Constantinople 287
Continuation of the Affairs in the East 288
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1014, H.
Osterghún set fire to 293
The City and Fortress taken 294
Progress of Botchkai 295
Botchkai pays a Visit to the Commanding General 296
Peace is proposed by the Archduke Mathias 298
Concerning Jeghala Zádeh’s Operations on the Confines of Persia 300
A Battle between Ibrahím Páshá and the Croatians 306
Mohammed Páshá, the son of Sinán Páshá, killed 306
The Emperor, whilst at Adrianople, hears further intelligence as
to the state of the Rebellion in Anatolia 307
An Overture made to Túyel 312
The Grand Vezír, Mohammed Páshá, is recalled to Constantinople 312
A Commotion among the Janissaries and Spáhís 313
The Commander-in-Chief arrives at Constantinople 314
Delí Hasan killed at Temisvar 315
Concerning the Grand Vezír, Lálá Mohammed Páshá—His death—Dervísh
Páshá raised to the Vezírship 317
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1015, H.
Dervísh Páshá is murdered—Murád Páshá is made Grand Vezír 326
The Cause of his Death more particularly related 327
Peace concluded with Austria 330
Concerning Nesúh Páshá 330
Death of Botchkai 335
Other Events of the current Year 335
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1016, H.
The Grand Vezír, Murád Páshá, returns to Court 336
Murád Páshá gains a Victory over the Rebels 338
Ebn Kalander goes to Ancora 340
Murád Páshá winters at Aleppo—Troops are sent to Baghdád 345
Jánbulát Oghlí seeks refuge in Constantinople—Kalander commits
new Depredations 347
Jánbulát Oghlí meets with a happy reverse of fortune 350
Some more Particulars belonging to this Year 351
An Ambassador arrives from Poland—A former Treaty is renewed 353
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1017, H.
The Commander-in-Chief, Murád Páshá, pursues Kalander Oghlí 355
His Excellency, Murád Páshá, hastens after the Brother of Túyel
Mahmúd 361
The Commander-in-Chief, Murád Páshá, is recalled to Court 366
Concerning Mohammed Páshá in Egypt 370
A great Earthquake 379
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1018, H.
The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief, Murád Páshá, is again
sent to the East 380
Yúsuf Páshá arrives at Scutari 384
Mesli Chávush and Yúsuf Páshá are murdered 385
Treachery in some of the Grand Vezír’s Domestics discovered 388
The Arrival of Yúsuf Páshá’s and Mesli Chávush’s Wealth—A Display
of Ill-will and Malevolence 389
Concerning the Naval Operations of the Lord High Admiral, Khalíl
Páshá—Karah Jehennem taken 390
Ancient Treaty with France renewed 392
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1019, H.
The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief, Murád Páshá, goes
to Tabríz 394
Other Events of this Year 396
The Death of Murád Páshá, Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief—Nesúh
Páshá succeeds to the Premiership 398
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1020, H.
Naval Affairs 400
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1021, H.
Nesúh Páshá arrives in Constantinople along with the Persian
Ambassadors 402
Naval Affairs continued 402
Sultán Ahmed Khán takes a Journey to Adrianople 404
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1022, H.
The Emperor, Sultán Ahmed Khán, goes to Gallipoli 407
The Emperor leaves Gallipoli for the Imperial City 408
Mohammed Gheráí arrives at Rudosjuk 409
A Messenger from Holland arrives in Constantinople 411
A Mosque is built in the Garden of Stavros 412
Sultán Ahmed Khán resolves on a second Journey to Adrianople 412
Nesúh Páshá’s enmity to the Lord High Treasurer, Etmekjí Zádeh
Ahmed Páshá 413
Begzádeh, a celebrated Spáhí, assassinated 413
Other Events and Circumstances of this Year 415
The Treaty of Peace with Persia adverted to 416
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1023, H.
The Moslem Emperor returns to Constantinople 417
The Admiral, Khalíl Páshá, goes to Sea 417
Punishment inflicted on the Infidels of Maneíah 420
Mímí Páshá falls a martyr 420
The Cossacks become troublesome 421
Some fortresses built on the Ouzi (Borysthenes) 422
Concerning Maán Oghlí 422
The Grand Vezír, Nesúh Páshá, murdered—The Seals are conferred
on Mohammed Páshá 426
Chief Reasons for accomplishing the Death of Nesúh Páshá 430
Concerning Betlan Gabor 432
The Treaty of Transylvania 433
Another Treaty 435
The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief marches against Persia 436
A Messenger arrives from the Sháh 437
The Peace with Austria renewed—New Articles added 437
Death of the reverend Muftí—His Brother, Isaád Effendí, succeeds
him 439
EVENTS OF THE YEARS 1024-1026, H.
The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief marches to Reván 440
The Grand Vezír and commanding-general, Mohammed Páshá,
is deposed—Khalíl Páshá is advanced to the Premiership 443
The Persian Ambassador is imprisoned 445
Iskunder Páshá marches against the Cossacks 446
The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-chief goes to Diárbeker, where
he winters—Ján Beg Gheráí, the Khán of Crimea, joins the Royal
camp 448
A Division is sent to protect Gúrjistán (Georgia) from the grasp
of the Heretics 448
Iskander Páshá concludes a Peace with the Cossacks 449
Concerning the Naval Affairs of this Year 450
Death of Sultán Ahmed Khán—Sultán Mustafa Khán is inaugurated 451
Character of Sultán Ahmed Khán 451
Concerning Sultán Ahmed Khán’s Sons 452
Vezírs who were contemporary with Sultán Ahmed Khán 453
Some of the Events which took place during the Reign of Mustafa
Khán 454
Sultán Mustafa Khán is deposed 454
Sultán Osmán Khán inaugurated 456
Concerning Mohammed Gheráí 456
Ján Beg, Khán of the Tátárs, defeated 458
The Arrival of the King of Poland’s Ambassador 463
An Ambassador arrives from Fez 463
A Phenomenon 464
Death of Etmekjí Zádeh Ahmed Páshá 464
On the state of the Coin 465
The Seals of the Premiership are again conferred on Mohammed
Páshá, the Emperor’s Son-in-law 465
The Arrival of a Persian Ambassador 466
A remarkable Phenomenon 466
Betlan Gabor 466
ANNALS OF NAIMA;
OR,
A HISTORY OF THE TURKISH EMPIRE.
A. H. 1000-1070. A.D. 1591-1659.
EVENTS WHICH HAPPENED IN THE YEAR 1000 OF THE HIJRAH.
_The Grand Vezír Ferhád Páshá deposed, and the Vezírship conferred on
Síávush Páshá._
The inhabitants of Erzerúm having earnestly requested, by letters, to
be delivered from the oppression and tyranny of the Janissaries, who
had been sent among them during the winter, Ferhád Páshá, to put a
stop to these complaints, assured them in return that the Janissaries
would be recalled to their own odás within the empire. The inhabitants,
on receiving this intelligence, were elated: their proud and haughty
spirits were roused; and without giving any due time to the Janissaries
to prepare for their departure, or without exercising the least degree
of patience whatever, and in violation of the Páshá’s letter, they
commenced expelling the Janissaries, and loading them with every
species of reproach. A tumult ensued. Some of the Janissaries fell by
the hands of the inhabitants before the former had sufficient time
given them to evacuate the place.
This treatment, which was wholly occasioned by Ferhád’s letter,
awakened the wrath of the Janissaries, and led them to write letters
to their own odás and commanders complaining of the author of the
maltreatment they had met with. Accordingly the grand vezír, Ferhád
Páshá, who knew what he had to fear from the malevolence of the
Janissaries, rode boldly up to the Diván on the 20th of Jemadi II.,
and demanded to know whether the emperor (Sultán Murád Khán III.) had
given his consent to the orders sent to the Janissaries at Erzerúm
to murder him. The members of the council replied to this imperious
demand by immediately commencing an assault on the grand vezír;
and it was with no small difficulty that the officers of the vezír
succeeded in quieting the tumult and uproar which this circumstance
had occasioned. The members of the council, on peace being restored,
retired to their respective homes: but the affair was not yet ended;
for the emperor was no sooner informed of the disturbance which had
taken place in the diván, than he issued a royal mandate requiring
an explanation of the cause of it from his minister, Ferhád. The
minister, however, found himself inadequate to give a satisfactory
answer to the imperial demand; and therefore, instead of giving a fair
and candid statement of the whole affair, had recourse, from a defect
of judgment, to equivocation. Thinking the matter was now hushed, he
proceeded to depose and maltreat the ághá of the Janissaries, Satúrjí
Aghá; and appointed the armour-bearer, Khalíl Aghá, in his stead. The
very next day, however, the emperor, who had become acquainted with his
inconsistent and rash conduct, deposed him, and raised Síávush Páshá a
third time to the premiership.
_The Militia of Tabríz._
The militia of Tabríz, malicious, corrupt, oppressive, and obstinate,
and ever skilful in stirring up rebellion, have always been disposed to
throw off the authority of their governors. The vezír Ja’fer Páshá, who
was this year governor of Tabríz and Azerbáíján, contrived and executed
a stratagem against them however, which ought to have taught them ever
afterwards to conduct themselves with propriety and good order. It
was this: Ja’fer Páshá, under the pretext of being obliged to go and
take cognizance of some other garrisons, left Tabríz, having secured a
sufficient number of troops from the Kúrd chiefs to come and assault
Tabríz. The Tabrízians on learning that an army of Kurds was come to
attack them rushed forth to give it battle, but were defeated with the
loss of 1,500 of their number. Ja’fer Páshá, on learning the success of
the Kurds, joined them with the volunteers under his own command, and
commenced a general slaughter of the Tabrízians, and thus punished them
most severely for their wickedness and insubordination.
_The Muftí Effendí, Bostánzádeh, deposed, and Zekeríá Effendí appointed
in his stead._
Husain Beg Zádeh says (in his history), that several disgraceful
complaints had been lodged with the emperor against the acute poet
Bákí Effendí, the military judge of Anatolia. As soon as Bákí Effendí
was made acquainted with this fact, and conjecturing that the mufti,
in order to get his own brother, cazí of Constantinople, appointed
in his room, would be excited to raise an accusation against him;
he, with great boldness, raised his voice in the diván and demanded
what these Bostáns (the mufti and his brother) wanted with him? The
elder of them, he said, was forty years of age, and was not yet able
either to repeat or read correctly. None of the decrees, continued he,
which he (the mufti) has written are in accordance with those already
collected and registered. Would it be just or wise, in order to get
Jamús, the mufti’s brother, put into his office, and for which he was
unfit, he asked, that complaints should be invented against him? This
speech was communicated to the mufti, who was so much nettled that
he instantly exhibited two hemistiches from Bákí’s poetical works,
which he declared evident blasphemy. A man, he said, who did not keep
himself free from that corruption ought by no means to hold any office,
sacred or profane. If Bákí, continued he, be not deposed, and not only
deposed but prosecuted, he (the mufti) would wander away to the utmost
bounds of the empire. Bákí Effendí, seeing the mufti had commenced
his vexatious proceedings against him, appealed to the grand vezír
and Khoja Sudur-úd-dín Effendí, and proposed to them to raise Zekeríá
Effendí to the office of mufti: or else to give that office to himself,
assuring them that he was competent to give forth daily, if requisite,
500 fetvás (judicial or religious decrees).
The mufti, in the mean time, sent an account of the whole affair, by
means of Dervísh Aghá, chief of the falconers, to his imperial majesty.
The emperor, however, was so much displeased at the high-mindedness of
the pontiff, who had said he would wander away to the utmost bounds of
the empire if Bákí Effendí was not deposed, that on the night of the
28th of Rajab he issued his royal mandate for deposing the mufti, and
appointed Zekeríá Effendí military judge of Romeili, to succeed him
in the sacred office. Bákí Effendí succeeded Zekeríá in Romeili: the
mufti’s brother was deposed from his office in Constantinople, and was
succeeded by Siná-allah Effendí of Adrianople, who was succeeded by
Abú-saúd Zádeh Mohammed Effendí.
This same year, however, on the 7th of Shevál, Bákí Effendí lost his
situation, which was conferred on Menlá Ahmed, the late Mollah of
Anatolia; and the jurisdiction of Anatolia was conferred on Siná-allah
Effendí, cazí of Constantinople: and Shemish Effendí, of Adrianople,
succeeded Siná-allah Effendí. Mohammed Aghá, one of the Kapújí báshís,
on the day preceding the last-mentioned date was appointed ághá of
the Janissaries, and his predecessor, Khalíl Aghá, was created beg of
Kostamúní (in Anatolia).
In consequence of the late tumult which had taken place in Erzerúm, and
which had been the cause of Ferhád’s removal from office, as before
observed, the new grand vezír appointed a number of fierce Janissaries
to accompany a Kapújí báshí to Erzerúm, and require an explanation.
On the arrival of this body, and in consequence of the authority with
which they were invested, they caused several of the inhabitants to be
executed, and transmitted a number of others to Constantinople, where
they met with that punishment which their crimes had merited.
_Disturbance on the confines of Bosnia and Hungary.—Movements of the
Infidels._
The Beglerbeg of Bosnia, Hasan Páshá, a brave and active man, continued
unremittingly to harass the enemy’s territories; on which account, the
Emperor of Austria sent his ambassador praying to have this officer
removed, or otherwise an end was to the existing peace. The ambassador
was told in reply, that it belonged to the grand vezír and to Dervísh
Páshá, the emperor’s favourite, to repel their aggressions against
the Ottoman empire; that, he was told, was a sufficient answer. Hasan
Páshá, elated by the encouragement which this laconic answer afforded
him, marched his Bosnian forces against Bihka, and after a siege of
eight days, took it. After having placed a sufficient garrison in
Bihka, he erected two other fortresses in its vicinity; the command of
which he conferred on Rustam Beg, an officer who had had the command of
Ferhád’s militia.
In the month of Jemadi I., Hasan Páshá again assembled his forces, a
considerable host: erected a bridge across the Koopa, in the vicinity
of Yení Hissár, and penetrated into the country of Croatia. The most
famous of the Croatian frontier chiefs, the governors of castles, the
Bani of Transylvania and the Croatian generals opposed him with a
mighty army, and gave him battle. The conflict was not long doubtful:
the Moslems were victorious; the infidel troops were broken, and
obliged to retreat. A great number of the fugitive host perished by the
edge of the sword: the whole of their fortifications, their stores,
six large cannon and other warlike apparatus fell into the hands of
the victorious Moslems. After having obtained this splendid victory,
the Páshá sent out parties to scour the country, who returned with an
immense number of captives and a great deal of spoil. Two thousand
heads, and two hundred living infidels were sent under guard of cannon
into the interior of the empire as trophies of the Moslem victors. A
proclamation was issued by the Páshá, that if ever the infidels should
again assemble such another host, they should meet with a similar or
severer fate; but it had no effect.
_News from the East._
The ungrateful Sháh of Persia marched this year, with a numerous army,
from Kazvín, in Irák, against Abdulmumin, Khán of Uzbek, and proceeded
as far as Khorassan. The Khán advanced to the borders of Jiorján to
meet the invading army; but finding his troops not sufficiently strong
to give the Sháh battle, he retreated to Nishapúr. The Sháh followed
him as far as Damghan, and after having reduced the cities of Sebzevár
and Isfaráyan in the district of Nishapúr, he returned victorious to
Kazvín.
_Concerning learned Men._
_Al Mevleví Mustafa ben Mohammed._—Mustafa ben Mohammed, one of the
most learned men of the age in which he lived, was born in the month
of Ramazán 940 of the Hijrah, when his father was cazí of Ipek, in
Romeili; and after having studied under the learned Kází Zádeh and
Sachlí Emír, he attended, in 963, Abúlsa’úd Effendí, and was appointed
head of an academy in 967, with a salary of twenty akchés attached to
his office. In ten years afterwards he was salaried by Alí Páshá. In
Shabán, A.H. 993, he fell into a lingering illness, which for some
time prevented him from active duty. In 998 he was so far recovered as
to be able to take upon himself the office of cazí of Tripoli. In the
month of Sefer of this year he was deposed, and soon afterwards died at
Aksheher, of a severe cold he had caught. He was much celebrated for
his great learning, and was a man of generous and mild dispositions. He
made a collection of all the common errors, and translated into Turkish
Kútb Mekín’s History of Yemen (Arabia Felix). He left behind him also
several poems in Turkish.
_Mohammed Elvání_, commonly called _Ván Kúlí_.—This venerable prelate
was greatly celebrated for his attainments in learning. In his pursuit
after knowledge he studied first under Hamid Effendí, and afterwards
made the round of forty seminaries. In the end of 977 he became reader
to Mohammed Páshá, and afterwards the same in Alí Páshá’s Khánegáh and
ancient academies. In 979 he was appointed Muftí of Rhodes, and in 981
was removed from Thesalonica, where he had acted as chief judge, to
Kutahia. In the end of 991 he retired on a pension of eighty piastres,
but was created cazí of Medina in 998; and in the month of Rajab
of this year he was translated into the eternal world. His virtues
were no less conspicuous than his learning. His letters relative to
evidence and the mode of government, as well as his splendid notes, are
sufficient to shew his depth of learning and erudition. He translated
the Seháhi Júheri (صحاح جوهري) into Turkish, which was placed in Sultán
Mohammed Khán’s mosque. He translated also Imám Ghazáli’s Treatise on
Alchemy.
_Almevlevi Alí Ben Abdí_, called also _Bitlí Alí_.—Bitlí Alí’s father
was called Abdí Tchelebí, and was brother to Muftí Jeví Zádeh Sheikh
Mohammed Effendí. Bitlí Alí was born in 938. He studied the lives of
the learned doctors under Sinán Effendí. In 963 he became thoroughly
acquainted with the ancients, and was soon afterwards competent for
reading lectures in colleges. In the month Sefer of 981 he was made
Fetva of Rhodes: in 983 he was cazí of Sehen: in 993 he held the
same office in Brúsa: and in Shabán 998 he became judge or cazí of
Constantinople. In the following year he was deposed, and in the month
of Shabán 1000 he died. He was a man of highly respectable connections,
and was possessed of marked sincerity and greatness of mind.
_Abdulkádír Ben Emír Gísúdárí._—Yálánjek Effendí, son of Sachlí Emír,
was helped forward in his career after learning by Sinán Effendí,
and in 981 he became rector of Pírí Páshá’s academy. In 989, after
having been one month president of the Consistory in Sehen, he was
appointed cazí of Merœsh and Kutahia. In the month of Shevál, 995,
he was translated to the jurisdiction of Tabríz; but in consequence
of the violence of his tongue he was afterwards ejected. In 999 he
was made cazí of Yenísheher, and in Rabia II. 1000 he was deposed,
and soon afterwards died. He was a rash and violent man, and easily
precipitated into passion. He wrote the Zeíli Shukáïk (زيل شقايق), but
his composition is weak, and his style incorrect.
_Almevlevi Mohammed Aïdín of Ak-Hisar._—This prelate, after having
studied the various sciences, attended the lectures of Abú Iliás Isa,
and afterwards was sent to study under the very able Ja’fer Effendí.
In 963, after having perfected himself in every branch of useful
knowledge, and having been for some time in the jurisdiction of Egypt,
he was made high priest of Medina. He died about the end of the year
1000, and was buried in the burying-ground of Medina. Three years after
his death his poems and other scientific works were collected together.
His explanations of the sacred word (the Koran) are short but nervous.
Besides a variety of other writings on various subjects, there are also
two or three in Persic. The compendious discourse to silk merchants
belongs to him.
_Almevlevi Shemaï._—Shemaï, when once his mind was enlightened by the
seeds of knowledge, though a partaker of human vanity, contemplated the
end of his life and made the best of it. Free from all worldly cares
and entanglements, he presented a lively picture of religion and virtue
to all ranks. About the end of the year 1000 his glorious soul was
translated into heaven. He was a very able instructor, and left behind
him an excellent treatise on morals. He translated into Turkish the
Diván of Háfiz, the Gulistán, and the Bústán.
_Almevlevi Sevdí._—This worthy prelate was a native of Bosnia, and
was much distinguished for his high attainments in learning. After
having made himself acquainted with the various branches of education
he retired on a small income, and taught the domestics belonging to
Ibrahím Páshá in his own palace; and in this employment finished his
earthly course towards the end of the year 1000. He left behind him
remarks on commerce, which are of great importance to the merchant,
besides a number of moral sayings, and various valuable translations.
_Almevlevi Abdur-rahím._—This great man was the younger brother of
Kanalí Zádeh Alí Effendí. After he had perfected his education he was
employed in the service of Abdulkerím Effendí and Bostán Effendí;
and from being intimate with Hasan Beg Effendí, rector in the
Queen-mother’s academy, he became related to Abú-saúd Effendí, by which
means he raised himself greatly in importance. But Abú-saúd, neglecting
the respect due to him, sent him into the service of Arab Zádeh
Abdulbákí, cazí of Brúsa. At length, however, in 959 he was appointed
travelling judge by the Beglerbeg college of Adrianople, with a salary
of twenty piastres. In the cities of Romeili, whither he had gone,
he manifested his great zeal, and acquired public notoriety by his
talents. He was raised to the cazíship of Ancora, and died towards the
end of the year 1000, whilst he filled the same office in Begsheher. He
was a man of excellent character, and was much regretted.
_Al Sheikh Mohammed al Bokhárí._—This man was a native of Bokhárá,
where he studied the divine sciences. After having made himself
thoroughly acquainted with the learned men of his day, he travelled to
Constantinople. In Romeili and in Silistria he made arrangements for
founding several establishments. He died towards the end of the tenth
century of the Hijrah, and was buried in the principal sepulchre in the
Forum. His splendid achievements are well known to the world.
_Al Sheikh Mohammed Effendí._—In the city of Brúsa he was distinguished
by the appellation of Kowaklí Imám, and because he was the son of an
Imám he was called also Kowaklí Zádeh, a name by which he was more
generally known. After having perfected his education he was for some
time in the service of the learned Merhebá Effendí, where he made
himself eminent by reading and studying the belles lettres, and in
making himself acquainted with the Persian language. His talents and
acquirements brought him into notice, for he became tutor and companion
to Alí Páshá, one of the beglerbegs of Egypt, and to Ferhád Páshá,
the grand vezír. He was for a while, also, in the service of Sheikh
Chelebí, the philosopher, and secured to himself, by his prudent
conduct, the friendship and respect of the best part of society. He
lived for some time, it is said, in a cell in Bokhárá in the exercise
of devotion. Towards the end of the year 1000 he passed from this vain
world into the next. Sivásí Shemsí Effendí collected his books, which
show him to have been a most profound adept in the ocean of science.
There were, besides those we have now mentioned, an immense number of
learned men throughout the Ottoman dominions, such as Nasúhí Effendí of
Aksheher and other great and celebrated orators like him, but of whom
we cannot speak particularly. It is hoped, however, that in the course
of writing this history, other great men may be adverted to. This much
is sufficient to awaken the envy of the Christians.
If this does not please you—
Turn away your face: never mind it.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1001, H.
Menlá Ahmed Effendí, about the end of the month Sefer, was deposed,
and Bostání Zádeh Mohammed Effendí was appointed to succeed him in the
jurisdiction of Romeili. On the 8th of Rabia I. the ambassador of the
Sháh of Persia, and on the 25th the governor of Gilán, Ahmed Khán,
reached Constantinople. The latter of these, Ahmed Khán, governor of
Gilán, having come with the view of imploring the protection of the
emperor, the great men of the state went forth with great pomp as he
was coming into the harbour to meet him. He was conducted to the palace
of Yúsuf Páshá, near Kirk-cheshmeh, where all the honours due to his
rank and office were shown him. But as it was on account of escaping
the molestations of Sháh Abbás he had taken refuge under the royal
shadow, he conceived that the royal favour bestowed on him was less
than what he had anticipated, and therefore, grieved and afflicted,
he requested to be allowed to go to Baghdád. His request was complied
with: a suitable salary was allowed him, and in the month of Rajab he
set out on his intended journey. Having many friends and adherents
in Shirván, however, he directed his steps thither with the view of
endeavouring to effect a change in his own favour, but had no sooner
reached the confines of Gunja than the governor of that place seized
his person for having dared to depart from the path which had been
assigned him, and put him in prison.
_The Spáhís create a disturbance in the Diván._
Whilst the new grand vezír, Síávúsh Páshá, was actively employed in the
duties of his office, a very serious disturbance took place. On the
23d of Rabia I. the pay of the troops was issued, when the Janissaries
received the full amount of what was due to them; but there not being
sufficient money to pay the Spáhís the whole of their salaries, they
became discontented, raised a great noise, assaulted the royal diván,
clamorously demanded the head of the high treasurer, Emír Páshá, who,
on account of his great wisdom and prudence, was much respected by
the emperor, and stoned their own ághás. The affair came before the
royal presence, who ordered forthwith an advance of a hundred yúks
(about 100,000 dollars) from the royal coffers, but the obstinate
soldiery would not accept of it, whilst they became more violent and
unruly. Three times did the chief of the royal messengers and the
superintendant of the household troops go forth to try to pacify them,
and to advise them to take their allowance. “Take your pay,” they said,
“and leave off your unreasonable demand with regard to the head of the
treasurer:” but this speech was replied to by a shower of stones. The
military judges now stepped forward, and with the same view said, “Your
pay has been advanced: the treasurer is a descendant of the Prophet:
how is it possible that you thirst for his blood, contrary to all law
and justice?” This had no effect. The military judges again advanced
with the royal letter, containing an exhortation to obedience, which
they read to the tumultuous soldiery, but these turned a deaf ear to
it. The vezírs made the next attempt at restoring order, but they were
met by a shower of stones, and were obliged to retire. The orator of
the Suleimániyeh, Emír Mohammed Effendí, and the orator of St. Sophia,
Ibrahím Effendí, with a number of other súfís, were now called, and
being seated before the vezírs, were informed of the events which
had just taken place. These sages, on learning the state of matters,
made two attempts, by exhortation and advice, to still the tumult,
but with no better result than the efforts had which had preceded.
After all these fruitless attempts about twenty Seids (descendants of
Mohammed) came forward, and remonstrated with the Spáhís about the
guilt of seeking to encompass the death of an innocent descendant of
the Prophet. But they, too, descendants of Mohammed as they were, were
hailed with another volley of stones, which actually wounded two of
their number. At length the high treasurer, seeing no effort whatever
could restrain the soldiery, resolved on presenting himself before
them. With this view he folded a green cloth round his turban, and said
he would meet his fate, be it what it might. This resolution so alarmed
the _chaúshes_ and members of the diván, that they raised a tremendous
lamentation, and thus deterred him from his rash purpose.
One of their number, however, who was any thing but friendly towards
the lord high treasurer, addressed the grand vezír thus: “How long will
it be that you will screen this treasurer? On a former occasion you did
not hesitate to deliver up Mohammed Páshá, who was a beglerbeg and a
vezír. This man is only a treasurer: deliver him up, and you will put
an end to the present tumults.” One of the military judges, Bostání
Zádeh, on hearing these sentiments was perfectly astonished, raised his
voice and said, “What! is this diván become so far heretical, as even
to agree to permit the head of a descendant of the Prophet to be struck
off and hurled upon the ground? What madness and insanity is this!
Cease, I beseech you, from this rashness, and let justice take her own
course.” This short but energetic speech had the desired effect on the
mind of him to whom it was directed.