Transylvanian princes. Baturi Gabor, better known by the appellation of
Delí Karal (the foolish king), was a madman and a tyrant. He seized on
the property of the other chiefs and nobles of Transylvania, and slew
such of them as had the courage to oppose his tyranny and oppression:
some were proscribed by him, and others, to escape his fury, fled the
country. Betlan Gabor was one of the latter, and came to Belgrade at
the time when Yemishjí Hasan Páshá was commander-in-chief, who allowed
Betlan Gabor a salary of one hundred and twenty pieces of money. Betlan
remained the whole of that winter at Semendria, and afterwards returned
to Transylvania: but in 1021, he was again, for fear of Baturi Gabor,
obliged to take refuge in Turkey. Having been successively deputy to
Iskander Páshá and to Hasan Páshá, and being well acquainted with both
the Arabic and Persian languages, he accompanied Nikrúm, the Austrian
ambassador, to the court of Constantinople. Nesúh Páshá, the grand
vezír, conferred on Betlan Gabor the government of Kaniza. By the
intervention of Iskander Páshá it was that he was first introduced to
the premier, who made himself acquainted with the circumstances of his
case. Betlan informed him of the conduct of his relative, Delí Karal;
and this led to the measures which the government afterwards adopted
for crushing Baturi Gabor.
Under the pretence of repairing the fortress of Buda, it was considered
necessary to augment the troops in that quarter; but these, in fact,
were to be employed against Baturi Gabor, Delí Karal. Orders for
augmenting the troops were accordingly issued. Iskander Páshá assembled
his troops in the plains of Serim, marched to Temisvar, passed through
Timúr kapú, and entered Transylvania. Nesúh Páshá appointed Kelánjí
Omar Páshá to take the command of the army, and ordered Sháhín Gheráí
and the begs of Valachia and Moldavia to join the main body.
When Delí Karal heard of the formidable array which was gathering
against him, he shut himself up in Waradin and fortified the place. In
the meantime Iskander Páshá proceeded to Belgrade, in Transylvania, and
there installed Betlan Gabor as king of that country. It was not to be
imagined, however, that so long as the mad king was allowed to continue
in existence, Betlan Gabor would find it an easy matter to reign
undisturbed in the possession of Transylvania. By the advice of Betlan,
Iskander Páshá showed various acts of kindness to such of the voivodas
as could be depended upon, and thus secured their good-will and that
of their subjects in behalf of the new-made king. Iskander Páshá,
after having settled all these matters, thought proper to evacuate the
country; but he had scarcely done so when Delí Karal ventured out of
his strong-hold, and, with the view of attacking Betlan, began to muster
what forces he could. One of the voivodas, however, placed himself in
a certain pass through which the old king was to pass, and actually
shot him on his first appearance. Betlan Gabor was no sooner rid of his
antagonist than he began to reign without fear, and, of course, without
a rival; sent a letter to his friend, Iskander Páshá, who was still at
Timúr kapú, informing him of his good fortune, and thanking him for
the services he had rendered to him. When Iskander Páshá received this
letter he began to make arrangements with regard to the cities and
provinces of Transylvania, and settled things on the same footing as
they had been in former times.
_The treaty of Transylvania._
Betlan Gabor having given the strongest assurances and the most
faithful pledges of his attachment and subserviency to the Ottoman
government, the latter entered into a perpetual league with him, both
offensive and defensive, constructed in conformity to the league
entered into in the days of Soleimán, which was signed on the 23d of
Jemadi I. of this current year. The league or treaty was as follows:—
“In consequence of the demise of the ruler of Transylvania, and the
entirely new state of things in that country, the Ottoman government,
in compliance with the wish of the princes and three estates of the
nobles of Transylvania, has appointed from amongst them a descendant
of the kings of Transylvania, and one brought up amongst them, to be
ruler of that country. It therefore decrees, that none of the nobles
or plebeians shall, without their own consent, be obliged to leave the
country; nor shall any who has been obliged to submit to the new order
of things, suffer any molestation whatever. 2. So long as the ruler,
nobles, and commons of Transylvania remain firm in their submission to
the Sublime Porte, no neighbouring power shall be permitted to invade
that country. 3. None of the captives which the Transylvanians may have
taken shall be employed against the common enemy. 4. All the cities
and villages in the confines of Solnak, Gullah, Lipah, and Temisvar
shall continue to pay such taxes and imposts as they were accustomed
to pay to the Ottoman government before the rebellion occasioned by
Baturi Zigmund; the government of Transylvania shall not hinder or
forbid the payment of these taxes and imposts on any account whatever.
5. The Transylvanian government shall on no pretence whatever molest
the districts of Salmish, or those places belonging to Turkey in the
districts of Shemadeyma and Yarfatnah. 6. Such of the Turkish peasantry
as may have removed to Transylvania, and are still there, shall be sent
back to the places whence they came. 7. The Transylvanian government
shall in like manner, and in conformity to former agreement, from
time to time send its accustomed tribute to the Ottoman government.
8. The Transylvanian government shall form a friendly union with the
voivodas of Valachia and Moldavia, and shall render to them friendly
aid when necessary. 9. In like manner, it shall afford to Turkey, on
due notice being given, its aid and assistance with that fidelity
which its relation to that country demands. 10. The boundaries of the
country of Transylvania are to remain as they were fixed at the making
of the treaty of Vienna, and are not to be altered. 11. None of the
Transylvanian princes who may have attached themselves to the ruling
prince shall be molested.”
_Another treaty._
The princes of Upper-Hungary, during the reign of Soleimán, were all
subject to the Ottoman government, but were afterwards obliged to
submit to the emperor of Germany. Within these few years, however,
king Botchkai and the princes of Upper-Hungary broke their allegiance
to that power, and became again subjects of the Ottoman government. It
was on this account that the Ottoman government conferred on Botchkai,
by treaty, the sovereignty and other emblems of royal authority over
those cities which had either revolted from the dominion of Austria, or
had been rescued from it: these however, after the death of Botchkai,
again fell under the dominion of Austria. The Germans, forgetting
integrity and honour with the Transylvanian princes, sought to wrest
from their hands every place of strength which had still remained to
them; and, moreover, employed violent measures in endeavouring to bring
the inhabitants to embrace their system of faith. In consequence of
these outrages on the part of the Germans, the inhabitants began again
to manifest their old hostility against their oppressors; and wishing
to secure the favour and protection of the Turkish government, sent
one of their most experienced leaders, Belzai Zigmund Betlan Gabor,
the present ruler of Transylvania, to request from that government
a renewal of former treaties. The following were therefore agreed
to. 1. That so long as the Hungarian princes, kapúdáns, and other
chiefs of that nation should maintain a faithful subjection to the
Turkish government, the latter power agreed to enter into a treaty,
both offensive and defensive; promising, also, to maintain a friendly
compact with Betlan Gabor, and to assist him in the event of any
hostile invasion. 2. As a proof of their sincerity and integrity,
they were this year, according to their ability, to transmit to the
court of Constantinople certain presents. 3. In the event of their
being called upon to render aid or assistance, none of their castles
or cities were to be invaded, but should remain undisturbed. 4. No
greater taxes were to be demanded than what they had been accustomed
to pay in former times. 5. In the event of the king of Poland, or
the rulers of Valachia and Moldavia, wishing to purchase any of the
fortresses of Transylvania, they were not to give their consent to such
a transaction. 6. Should either of the voivodas of Valachia or Moldavia
become disaffected to the Ottoman government, and take refuge in
Transylvania, he was not to be allowed to remain there, but be sent to
Constantinople, and all his slaves were to be set free without ransom.
This treaty, which was made with Betlan Gabor, who had been deputed
by the Hungarian princes to negotiate in their behalf, concludes by
assuring him that the Ottoman government would continue its ancient
custom of sending to every new ruling prince its accustomed gifts
of standards, ensigns, ermines, and robes of honour. Copies of this
contract were secretly sent to the parties concerned.
This year Tahmuras Khán withdrew from Sháh Abbás, and entered into a
special relation with the Turkish government.
_The grand vezír and commander-in-chief marches against Persia._
In the treaty entered into by Kází Ján, the Persian ambassador who had
accompanied Nesúh Páshá to Constantinople, as the reader may remember,
it was stipulated on the part of the Persian sháh, to furnish the
head of the Ottoman government with one hundred loads of silk and one
hundred loads of precious wares. For the last two years, however, this
tribute had been withheld, and the sháh, thus endeavouring to rid
himself of his engagements, violated the treaty. The emperors patience
forsook him; his rage kindled into a flame. He sent a royal letter to
the grand vezír, Mohammed Páshá, to assemble the whole of the household
troops, those of Romeili and Anatolia, and march immediately against
Persia. The grand vezír appointed Gúrjí Mohammed Páshá to be his deputy
in Constantinople; Lunka Zádeh was made treasurer; and the government
of Bosnia was conferred on Sulfi Bákí Páshá.
On the 23d of Rabia II. the grand vezír passed over with his splendid
army to Scutari, remained there about three weeks, and reached Aleppo
in the month of Shabán. Dervísh Tálib Effendí, the ordinary of the
ancient mosque of Selím, and chief of the astrologers, accompanied
Mohammed Páshá in the capacity of astrologer, and was never absent from
him.
In consequence of the lateness of the season, however, the
commander-in-chief was obliged to distribute his troops into
winter-quarters, intending to commence hostilities as soon as the
proper time arrived. He himself took up his quarters in the palace
of Aleppo, the válí of which, Etmekjí Zádeh, having been recalled to
court, he appointed his deputy in room of Gúrjí Mohammed Páshá, and
sent him off.
_A messenger arrives from the sháh._
After the departure of the great army mentioned in the preceding
section, information reached the court of Constantinople from one
Enjelí, who had been deputed to the court of Persia, that Kásim Beg,
ambassador from the sháh of Persia, had arrived on the confines of
Reván with the stipulated silk; but such was the displeasure which his
majesty felt at the conduct of the sháh that he absolutely refused
to recall his army; and when the ambassador actually arrived at
Constantinople, which happened to be at the very time that the Osmánlí
army entered Aleppo, he was refused the honour and respect usually
shown to one of his character, though he was supplied with whatever he
required. A whole year passed away, however, before his majesty deigned
to read the sháh’s communication, or even to look at the presents sent
to him.
_The peace with Austria renewed.—New articles added._
The peace with Austria having been renewed this year, twelve new
articles were added. The commissioners on both sides met at Vienna. The
Ottoman commissioners were Ahmed Aghá, of the horse-guards, the deputy
of Alí Páshá, the governor of Buda, and Gashir Ghurajeiyan. Those of
the emperor Mathias were his first and second ministers, the treasurer
or chancellor of the kingdom of Hungary, besides some other persons
of note. The treaty of peace between Austria and Turkey was entered
into, as will be remembered, at Sidova, with Murád Páshá, and was to
be maintained for the space of twenty years. The revised or renewed
treaty was dated, according to the Christian era, in the year 1615;
but according to the Moslem era, the 1st of Jemadi II. 1024.
The _First_ of the twelve new articles annexed to the treaty of Sidova,
bound both parties to maintain the peace for the period stipulated upon
in that treaty. _Second._ The various articles mentioned in the treaty
of Sidova were to remain in full force. _Third._ The frontier lines, as
well as the grounds of complaint between the villages situate on these
frontiers, were to be examined and settled. Further: The discontent
manifested by one hundred and fifty villages attached to Osterghún were
also, according to this article, to be examined. It was agreed to by
both sides, that sixty villages in the district of Osterghún should be
subjected to the Ottoman government, and four months were allowed for
the settling of this point. _Fourth._ The prisoners taken by either
party during the negotiations which were carried on at Sidova were to
be set at liberty. A list of all the fortresses which Ahmed Ketkhodá
had erected since the commencement of the peace was ordered to be
given in; and all the palankas erected by both parties, contrary to
the articles of the peace, were to be examined within the first four
months, and erased. _Sixth._ Neither of the contracting parties was
to harbour or encourage false or hypocritical persons, but to inform
against them. _Seventh._ The churches belonging to the Christians
within the Turkish dominions were to be repaired; and the gospels were
to be read according to custom. _Eighth._ The uninhabited portions
of land on the frontiers were declared to be free for the use of the
peasantry of the province to which such portions belonged, and by this
article they were allowed to settle on them without hindrance. _Ninth._
Traders belonging to either country were to be allowed to pass and
repass from the one to the other, provided such traders were furnished
with proper passports from their respective authorities. Into whatever
district or province they should enter or pass through, they were, by
this article, obliged to show their passes; and the commander of that
place or district, and the head of the excise, were either to affix
their seals to them, or endorse them, but without any fee or reward.
It was further provided by this article, that if the roads by which
such traders travelled were unsafe, they were to be furnished with a
proper escort; but they were to pay all dues and imposts punctually.
_Tenth._ Merchant-vessels coming to Turkey from any of the dominions
of the Roman emperor (_i. e._ the emperor of Austria) or from Austria
with merchandize, were not to be allowed to do so unless they came
under the imperial flag, and were furnished with sufficient documents
besides. If, in opposition to the spirit of this article, any should
venture to do so, the agents and consuls of its respective governments
were to be authorized to seize him. Traders coming in ships to Turkey
from any of the above-mentioned dominions, or from Spain, or from any
other nation carrying the imperial flag, were in like manner to be
allowed to do so on paying the Ottoman government three per cent.,
and two per cent. to their respective consuls, on all such wares and
merchandize as they might buy or sell. The consuls or agents were not
only to settle all matters for such traders, but were also to be at
full liberty to arrest any one of them who might have neglected paying
into the government treasury his lawful dues. If any dispute should
happen to arise between merchants about money, it was provided by this
article, that the cazí of the place or city where such dispute had
taken place should have power to decide the question; but with this
proviso, that the sum about which the dispute arose was not more than
four thousand pieces of money: if above this sum, the litigants were
to be obliged to refer the matter in dispute to the military judge of
Constantinople. _Eleventh._ After this treaty was again settled and
signed, all letters, messengers, or other persons coming or going from
or to either country belonging to the contracting powers, were to be
respected by the authorities on the frontiers; and if the roads were
unsafe or dangerous, a sufficient escort was to be provided. _Twelfth._
It was decreed by this article, that from this time no voivodas or
servants of governors were to enter any of the frontier villages; but
the inhabitants themselves were, nevertheless, to pay or deliver,
according to law, whatever amount of dues they might owe.
_Death of the reverend Muftí.—His brother, Isaád Effendí, succeeds him._
The venerable and amiable Muftí Effendí, who was tutor to Sultán Murád
Khán, was born on the 28th of Shabán 975, when his father was rector of
the academy of Yelderím Khán, in Brúsa; and who, along with a private
tutor, exercised the greatest assiduity in training and enriching the
young mind of his son, who by their instructions acquired the most
perfect education. In 994, he was honoured with the rectorship of the
academy of Esmíkhán. In three years afterwards he was introduced at
court, and in two years more he made a transition from the Selímiya
to the Soleimáníyeh. In 1000, he was dignified with the cazíship
of Mecca. Not being satisfied with this situation he returned to
Constantinople, and was made cazí of that city in 1004. In the same
year he was transferred to the jurisdiction of Anatolia. He was present
at the taking of Agria, but was afterwards suspended from office for
the space of two years. In 1007 he was raised to the jurisdiction of
Romeili. In 1010 he succeeded to the muftiship in room of Siná Effendí.
In the following year he was deposed, but in 1017 he again succeeded
Siná Effendí in the same high office which he had held four times.
Seven years afterwards he received a gratuity of six thousand pieces of
silver, and was incorporated with the Historiographers. On the 5th of
Jemadi II. of this year, he departed into the world of spirits, having
died of the plague. He was buried in the tomb of his fathers. His
brother, Isaád Effendí, succeeded him in the high priesthood.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1024, H.
_The grand vezír and commander-in-chief march to Reván_
We lately left the grand vezír and commander-in-chief, Mohammed
Páshá, at Aleppo; we now return to record his operations against the
Persians. On the arrival of spring the various troops began to move
from their respective cantonments, and in the beginning of Rabia II.
the general’s pavilion was erected in the Kokmaidan. On the 7th of
the month such of the army as could be collected in so short a time
marched off for Reván. After crossing the meadows of Koksú and arriving
at the plains of Aksheher, the commanding-general was joined by Dávud
Páshá beglerbeg of Romeili, with his provincial troops, having also
been entrusted with funds for the grand army. About the beginning of
Jemadi II. the army reached Erzerúm; from the fortress of which the
commanding-general took seven pieces of ordnance. After distributing
provisions, &c. among the household troops, the royal camp was joined
by the troops of Anatolia, Caramania, and Sivás. Firmáns were also
sent to the beglerbeg of Diárbeker, Diláver Páshá, and Tekelí Mohammed
Páshá, beglerbeg of Wán, to march with their respective troops towards
Reván. The válí of Baghdád, Mustafa Páshá, also collected a number of
Mosul and Seyed Khán troops, and sent forward two divisions of these
foreigners under the command of proper officers. Towards the end of the
month the grand army reached Kars, which had formerly been destroyed by
the Persians, but was now rebuilt, and was furnished with a garrison
and cannon. About the middle of Jemadi II. the grand army reached the
plains of Reván. During the season preparations for opening trenches
were attended to, and thus the siege of Reván was commenced. Amir
Gunah Khán had taken good care to have the fortress not only strongly
fortified, but also well filled with troops and ammunition. The sháh
himself, with the army under his own command, was at Nakhcheván. The
Moslem army in the meantime surrounded Reván with field-pieces, and for
the space of twenty days continued battering its walls; but without
visible advantage. Finding their efforts in this way to be vain, they
began to collect earth, which during the night-season they formed into
mounds for their artillery, in order to employ this apparatus more
effectively. After accomplishing this vast labour, they succeeded in
effecting some breaches, and then commenced a general assault; but
were repulsed with immense loss. The ághá of the janissaries, Mesli
Aghá, perished; and Turkijeh Bilmaz was wounded: the troops who had
been engaged in the assault were withdrawn. It is said, however, that
one night, when Tekelí Mohammed Páshá, governor of Wán, was on guard,
some thousands of red-heads, under the guidance of four kháns, issued
forth and entered into a narrow pass, with the view of lying in ambush.
Tekelí, however, observed them, immediately marched against them, and
defeated them most completely. One thousand heads and five hundred
living infidels were conveyed to the Moslem camp, as trophies of
Tekelí’s victory. The fame of his bravery was spread abroad.
The sháh, in order to make a display of his own might, was in the habit
of causing fires to be kindled on the tops of the surrounding hills,
but the Moslems continued to carry on the siege with all the vigour
they were able, but were opposed, inch by inch, by the red-heads, who
frequently rushed out even as far as the trenches, and fought most
furiously. At length, however, the Moslems succeeded in beating down a
considerable portion of their walls and battlements. This so alarmed
the besieged, that they, in order to prevent another general assault,
which they saw would be fatal to them, proposed an armistice for four
days. “We will consult our sháh,” said they, “and afterwards deliver
up the place to you.” Their request was agreed to, and for four days
not a gun was fired on either side. But the execrable race completely
deceived the commanding-general.
Hasan Beg Zádeh says in his history that the chief-cannoneer had
directed the mouth of a cannon against the palace of Amir Gunah Khán,
but instead of hitting it, it struck the house of the avaricious sháh’s
ignorant chancellor, and shattered it to pieces. He tried a second
time, but failed.
It is certain that after the Moslems had succeeded in beating down the
wall they ought to have pursued their advantages, and have pushed into
the city; but it would appear they altogether neglected this. During
the armistice they repaired the breaches which had been made, and again
commenced hostilities. Forty days were spent in the siege of Reván,
and nothing more was effected than what we have related. The Moslems,
indeed, tried the springing of mines, but to no purpose; and at last
the whole of their ammunition was expended: winter was drawing on; and,
in short, they were obliged to withdraw their artillery from Reván. The
loss sustained by the Moslems on this occasion obliged them to make a
disadvantageous peace, in which it was agreed to take one-half of the
silk and presents which had been stipulated in the treaty that was made
when Nesúh Páshá was grand vezír. The whole of the provisions, &c.
which had been sent forward for the use of the troops at Reván would
have proved insufficient, and at any rate have been lost.
After the last treaty above alluded to was settled and signed, the
Kizilbáshes came into the camp of the Moslems, when a mutual exchange
of articles took place. The Moslem army, having first sent their
artillery away to Kars, retired from Reván in the month of Ramazán.
Whilst passing through the plains of Loghan, immense numbers of them
perished from the cold. Having supplied Kars with military stores, the
army advanced to Erzerúm, where the household troops were paid off and
sent away into Romeili for the winter. The commander-in-chief and his
suite remained at Erzerúm.