Battle on the Kosovo field In August 1785, the Sultan, alarmed by the growing power of
Kara Mahmud and on account of his seditious activities, dismissed him from office as
Mutasarrif and gave the order to the armies of the two Balkan
eyalets (provinces) of
Rumelia and of
Bosnia, to march on
Shkodër. After the Battle, during the period from April 1786 to March 1787, the Uprising of
Kara Mahmud faced minimal resistance from both the opposing forces and the military contingents led by the viziers of
Rumelia and
Bosnia.
Kara Mahmud's attack on Montenegrins Attack on Nikšić and Rovca In 1786, Kara Mahmud Pasha attacked and defeated the
Nikšići and
Rovčani tribes, whom he blamed as traitors for their participation in the
Attack on Montenegro in 1785. During the attack on
Rovca, Kara Mahmud Pasha massacred 150
Montenegrin Serbs, after which he returned to
Scutari. Subsequently, Ahmet Pasha launched an attack on the Vali of Rumelia in
Skopje, emerging victorious and taking control of the city.
Kara Mahmud's campaign in Bosnia Kara Mahmud's advancement through the Balkans reached its peak when his Armies besieged
Sarajevo. In this case, the Sublime Porte declared him a rebel and ordered Mehmet Pasha Çausholli to replace him. However, the decision against him was put into effect in May 1787 when rumors in Istanbul suggested that the Pasha was planning to attack
Edirne (Adrianople) with 25,000 soldiers. These rumors had significant impact in Istanbul, leading to calls for a jihad against the rebellious Pasha. The
Shaykh al-Islām issued a
fatwa declaring the Pasha a rebel, while
Sultan Abdülhamid I sought his execution.
Kara Mahmud's brother Ahmed Pasha effectively countered the Bosnian troops advancing from the north, achieving victory over them. However, in 27 August 1787, Kara Mahmud's operations in the
Bosnia eyalet came to a halt when Ahmed Pasha was betrayed and decapitated by his own soldiers.
Ottoman Counteroffensive Ali Pasha Tepelena's campaigns Ali Pasha Tepelena, formerly aligned with the
Bushatlis against
Kurd Ahmed Pasha, emerged as a prominent figure in
southern Albania and a formidable leader among the
Tosks. Despite his involvement in numerous atrocities and village burnings, the
Sublime Porte appointed him as the governor of
Trikala, strategically leveraging his military prowess. This decision proved effective, as
Ali Pasha Tepelena, demonstrated exceptional leadership, tipping the balance in favor of the
central government. Initially, he achieved a significant victory by breaking the defensive forces of the
Bushatlis in
Ohrid, notably beheading
Kara Mahmud's cousin and sending his head to
Istanbul. Subsequently,
Ali Pasha Tepelena daringly intervened in
Elbasan, quelling the resistance posed by
Bushati's forces and securing
central Albania for the
Ottoman Empire. With the demise of
Kurd Ahmed Pasha in 1787, while the war was still going on,
Ali Pasha solidified his status as the most influential figure in
southern Albania. In recognition of his contributions to the campaign, the Sublime Porte extended unwavering support to Ali Pasha, assigning other commanders under his authority and providing substantial financial backing. His pivotal role in the campaign against
Kara Mahmud likely played a crucial part in his subsequent ascent to become the preeminent power magnate in the region.
Revolt in Ulcinj The Sublime Porte effectively crushed the resistance of the rebels in Shkodra. As they approached Mahmud's castle, the intervention of
Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha sparked an uprising in
Ulcinj against the
Bushatlis. Ultimately, the Shkodran garrison under the command of the fourteen-year-old nephew of
Kara Mahmud, Mehmed Beg, would be defeated, and Mehmed Beg would be handed over to the Ottoman authorities.
Siege of Scutari (1787) The Ottomans gathered 30,000 to 60,000 men under the command of
Aydoslu Mehmed Pasha of
Rumelia, Selim Pasha of
Bosnia, and
Ali Pasha of Yanina to besiege the
Rozafa castle, where
Kara Mahmud Pasha took refuge with 60 to 200 of his soldiers. During the
siege, the defending Albanians attempted to break the siege by launching several attacks on the Ottoman armies that had surrounded the castle from all sides. Later,
Filip Vukasović, with 400 Austrians and 2,000 Montenegrins, besieged
Spuž, also setting it on fire. During the siege of Spuž, Kara Mahmud Pasha came to aid the besieged fortress and defeated the Austro-Montenegrin forces. When the Montenegrins realized that Vukasović's battalion, which had dwindled to 117 men, was not the vanguard of a large force, they sided with Kara Mahmud. The hostile attitude of the population was further intensified by the realization that Vukasović's small unit would not bring the hoped-for liberation from the Ottomans. During his sudden departure from
Cetinje,
Vukasović managed to take 60 Montenegrins as hostages for his safety, using them as human shields in the valley of Njegošće to protect his troops as he continued his march back to
Austria.
Imperial Pardon from the Sultan and the end of the War The
Sublime Porte learned of events in its
western provinces through reports from an English ambassador detailing
Kara Mahmud's negotiations with the
Austrians. The ambassador noted the killing of
Austrian emissaries after talks and the potential revolt involving
Austrian soldiers joining the
Montenegrins. However,
Kara Mahmud's swift military intervention prevented the spread of Austrian influence, safeguarding not only his district but also the territorial integrity of the
Ottoman Empire. Despite his efforts, the
Sublime Porte did not grant
Kara Mahmud forgiveness for his political shift, a stance maintained until
Selim III ascended the throne. The
Ottomans, struggling in the war against two empires, faced defeats exacerbated by conflicts with provincial magnates like
Kara Mahmud. The
Sublime Porte expended resources to eliminate defiant notables, contributing to the challenges in fighting European powers. Governor Abdi Pasha of
Rumelia sought
Kara Mahmud's pardon in exchange for his services on the front, recommending him for appointment to the Belgrade or Bosnian front.
Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha also negotiated with
Kara Mahmud, acting as guarantors for his loyalty. Despite the Ottomans' desperate circumstances, Mahmud was not officially forgiven, but commanders appealed to appoint him as
governor of
Bosnia, emphasizing the severity of the situation. In response to appeals,
Sultan Selim III offered forgiveness in exchange for
Kara Mahmud's loyalty and participation on the
Bosnian front with 20,000 soldiers. Mahmud received his pardon on 14 August 1789, brought by his nephew and Mahmud Beg of Kavaja. == Aftermath ==