Mahmud I (1747-1752)
Koprulu Mustafa Pasha
Gone Fishin'
Background information: I wanted a TL where the Ottomans keep the Balkans under its rule (no Serbia, Greece etc...). I could have started with a POD during Selim III but I felt like having the Crimean Khanate exist for not being the only Islamic State in Europe and I mean, why not? It is interesting to see another Islamic State to develop in the 19th century. So I came to a choice were to start... as latests as 1774 with Abdul Hamid ascending the Throne and as early as Nader Shahs death for opportunities. Initially I planned Osman III/Mustafa III rule as a beginning but at the very last moment changed to Nader Shahs death.
So to give you an insight... I want a reforming Ottoman Empire from the earliest time possible without affecting too much of European politics that happens in the 19th century. And from the 19th Century onward, things may change more. This is also why try to go through the 18th century as fast as I can without leaving important information behind.
Hope you keep enjoying it.
The death of the lion
The year: 1747
The lion of Persia is dead. The great lion of the East is Nader Afshar. Words have come from the East that this lion was betrayed by his own soldiers. They say, killing your own leader will bring you nothing but death and destruction. The people of those lands will be victims for foreign invaders. No longer will his mighty roar be heard in Persia. But the neighbours and victims of this great ‘lion’ are relieved. One of those is the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mahmud I Osmanoglu. A sultan who fought back the Russo-Austrian alliance. A man who was believed to be the restorer of the Ottoman Golden Age. Nader’s realm is torn apart by warlords and tribes. There is no better advantage. It will be the age remembered how the Ottomans restored themselves.
The great Mahmud I, reformer of the empire
In the Fall of 1747, the Empire was at peace. Unlike its European neighbours who would fight each other. Regardless, for the sultan it was better not to wait out opportunity until it was gone. Since the last war 7 years ago, the grand viziers of the Empire followed a peace policy. There would be no war in Europe and no more pointless war with Afshar ruled Persia. The borders of the Empire were big enough. But with the death of Nader Shah, the game has changed. Mahmud was ambitious, his pasha’s were not.
The Death of Nader Shah
After the death of Nader Shah in 1747, his great empire fragmented to pieces. His successor ruled only a fragment of a once mighty Persian Empire. The Zand dynasty has emerged in Shiraz, various khanates in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus ruled free from influence of Mashhad and Shiraz. And then there was the original ruler of Persia, a Safavid prince, Suleiman II. The latter would possibly be a good puppet for the Ottomans in their Iranian policy. And of course Mohammed Hasan Khan, leader of the Qajar tribe. All these people play a role for the domination of Persia. In the far east, the Afghan Abdali tribe ruling most of Afghanistan and Balochistan. For Ahmad Shah, the focus lay more on India.
Mahmuds letter to the Persian rulers (1748)
In 1748 Mahmud sendt numerous letters to rulers and warlords in Persia. He asked to swear loyalty to Mahmud as Caliph of all Muslims. Like he expected, there was only little interest to swear loyalty to Mahmud. Especially not by the Afshars, Zands and Qajars. The Durrani accepted Mahmud being the Caliph but not much further. When the letters were sent, Mahmud quickly reacted to the response. His first target was Azerbaijan. the region would be used for further expansion of influence. When Mahmud explained his plan to Hekimoglu Ali Pasha, he reacted with that there is no possibility to control all of Persia and an alliance was necessary with several kings and warlords. The biggest surprise to Mahmud and Hekimoglu Ali Pasha was the arrival of Ismail Safavi, a Safavid Prince. Having the ambition to rule Persia again and getting rid of his rival Suleiman II Safavi. It was told to Mahmud that Suleiman was using both Afshars and Zands in order to become the legitimate ruler of Persia. One free from foreign influence as much as possible. A young man he is, Ismail was welcomed and used for the campaigns in Persia. Mahmuds plans changed. His vassal would now be Ismail Safavi. And the plans for the campaign start to look more complex…
Europe in 1748:
In 1748, the war of Austrian succession ended after 8 years of war. The biggest winner of the war was Prussia with their conquest of Silesia. The Spanish gained some land back in Italy and Austria got back the Southern Netherlands from the French. Even though the British and French were not happy with the results, the Austrians were least happy. The loss of Silesia was not forgiven by the Austrian empress Maria Theresa. The conquest of Silesia alone would lead to more wars later in Central Europe. One war was over, the next was looming in.
Europe in 1748
So to give you an insight... I want a reforming Ottoman Empire from the earliest time possible without affecting too much of European politics that happens in the 19th century. And from the 19th Century onward, things may change more. This is also why try to go through the 18th century as fast as I can without leaving important information behind.
Hope you keep enjoying it.
The death of the lion
The year: 1747
The lion of Persia is dead. The great lion of the East is Nader Afshar. Words have come from the East that this lion was betrayed by his own soldiers. They say, killing your own leader will bring you nothing but death and destruction. The people of those lands will be victims for foreign invaders. No longer will his mighty roar be heard in Persia. But the neighbours and victims of this great ‘lion’ are relieved. One of those is the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mahmud I Osmanoglu. A sultan who fought back the Russo-Austrian alliance. A man who was believed to be the restorer of the Ottoman Golden Age. Nader’s realm is torn apart by warlords and tribes. There is no better advantage. It will be the age remembered how the Ottomans restored themselves.
In the Fall of 1747, the Empire was at peace. Unlike its European neighbours who would fight each other. Regardless, for the sultan it was better not to wait out opportunity until it was gone. Since the last war 7 years ago, the grand viziers of the Empire followed a peace policy. There would be no war in Europe and no more pointless war with Afshar ruled Persia. The borders of the Empire were big enough. But with the death of Nader Shah, the game has changed. Mahmud was ambitious, his pasha’s were not.
The Death of Nader Shah
After the death of Nader Shah in 1747, his great empire fragmented to pieces. His successor ruled only a fragment of a once mighty Persian Empire. The Zand dynasty has emerged in Shiraz, various khanates in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus ruled free from influence of Mashhad and Shiraz. And then there was the original ruler of Persia, a Safavid prince, Suleiman II. The latter would possibly be a good puppet for the Ottomans in their Iranian policy. And of course Mohammed Hasan Khan, leader of the Qajar tribe. All these people play a role for the domination of Persia. In the far east, the Afghan Abdali tribe ruling most of Afghanistan and Balochistan. For Ahmad Shah, the focus lay more on India.
Mahmuds letter to the Persian rulers (1748)
In 1748 Mahmud sendt numerous letters to rulers and warlords in Persia. He asked to swear loyalty to Mahmud as Caliph of all Muslims. Like he expected, there was only little interest to swear loyalty to Mahmud. Especially not by the Afshars, Zands and Qajars. The Durrani accepted Mahmud being the Caliph but not much further. When the letters were sent, Mahmud quickly reacted to the response. His first target was Azerbaijan. the region would be used for further expansion of influence. When Mahmud explained his plan to Hekimoglu Ali Pasha, he reacted with that there is no possibility to control all of Persia and an alliance was necessary with several kings and warlords. The biggest surprise to Mahmud and Hekimoglu Ali Pasha was the arrival of Ismail Safavi, a Safavid Prince. Having the ambition to rule Persia again and getting rid of his rival Suleiman II Safavi. It was told to Mahmud that Suleiman was using both Afshars and Zands in order to become the legitimate ruler of Persia. One free from foreign influence as much as possible. A young man he is, Ismail was welcomed and used for the campaigns in Persia. Mahmuds plans changed. His vassal would now be Ismail Safavi. And the plans for the campaign start to look more complex…
Europe in 1748:
In 1748, the war of Austrian succession ended after 8 years of war. The biggest winner of the war was Prussia with their conquest of Silesia. The Spanish gained some land back in Italy and Austria got back the Southern Netherlands from the French. Even though the British and French were not happy with the results, the Austrians were least happy. The loss of Silesia was not forgiven by the Austrian empress Maria Theresa. The conquest of Silesia alone would lead to more wars later in Central Europe. One war was over, the next was looming in.
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