Long live Sultan Osman III - 1 January 1755 - İstanbul, Thrace, Ottoman Empire
Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754) died while returning from the Friday Prayer. He had a stroke and was in a coma. By nightfall he was declared dead and by morning the people were informed about the death of the Sultan and his funeral followed quickly afterwards. Sultan Osman III reign started. Osman was already in his 50s and the government officials led by Ali Pasha were unsure whether Sultan Osman would change from his brother's policy. With the influence of his mother, Ali Pasha was allowed to continue his policy. Seyyid Abdullah Pasha resigned as Grand Vizier and he was chosen as the Governor of Rumelia. A highly important position during the wars with Austria. Mehmed Ragip Pasha became the new Grand Vizier. Mehmed was a pro-peace supporter at court. Ali Pasha explained to the Grand Vizier peace would not last if the Austrian threat is not dealt with. If Austria is not beaten with success, the future would look grim as the Austrians and Russians would divide the Danubian Principalities and the Crimean Khanate among themselves and use Poland-Lithuania like they desire. At that point, peace is no longer guaranteed. Mehmed Pasha was not pleased with the war plans but gave Ali Pasha his permission. Sultan Osman III was now also convinced.
Osman III: “Ali Pasha, it is good to see a Pasha like you put so much effort for the good of the State. Mehmed Pasha has also said a lot of good things about you.”
Ali Pasha:
“I wish you well my Sultan. Sultan Mahmud supported me in all my work for the State. I hope that Allah grants you a long and healthy life as I can get your support as well my Sultan.”
Osman III:
“You have it. You are a great man Pasha. Isn’t that right Mehmed?”
Mehmed Pasha:
“Yes my Sultan. Ali Pasha is a great man.”
Osman III:
“Now Ali, tell me about the current situation of your preparations…”
Ali Pasha had brought the Sekban regulars to Rumelia. The Sekbans grew exponentially since the formation and now have 90,000 men armed with another 60,000 to be trained in 5 years in Anatolia. With 150,000 Infantry forces the Ottomans had more than enough men to fight the enemy. These were also supported by the Janissary Tumens who were still undergoing reorganizations to keep it as elite and strong as possible. The Sipahis were organized in Tumens and that was it for them. A new force of standing Cavalry force of the Janissaries and the New Sipahis were also formed. About 10,000 Janissary Cavalry and 30,000 Heavy Sipah-I Cedid cavalry forces. Ali Pasha explained it as followed:
- Janissary Corps: 50,000 ready for battle
- Eight Tumens of infantry (8x5,000)
- Two Tumens of cavalry (2x5,000)
- Sekban Corps: 90,000 ready for battle
- Eighteen Tumens of infantry (18x5,000)
- New Sipahi: 30,000 ready for battle
- Six Tumens of cavalry (6x5,000)
- Timarli Sipahi: 200,000 ready for battle
- 40 Tumens of cavalry (40x5,000)
- 30 Tumens of infantry (30x5,000)
- 10 Tumens of cavalry (10x5,000)
Ali Pasha explained that there were 130,000 regular infantry men with another 60,000 following from the Sekban Corps. The Cavalry forces were 40,000 men regulars. In total, the Ottoman Manpower source was 570,000 men with another 120,000 coming within a few years. The Irregulars and Sipahis were high in numbers but could not all be fielded without risking to stay defenseless against a rebellion. In war, the Ottoman Armies could field five armies at best against both Austria and Russia at the same time. On average, that would be 60,000 an army. The advantage the Ottoman Armies will have is the lower number of Austrian Enemies as the Prussians will declare war on Austria, forcing a division of the Austrian Armies. The Russians will also have to divide their forces to Prussia and the Ottomans if they have to honour their alliance with Austria. Ali Pasha suggested to use 150,000 men of the Armies against Russia, with 100,000 men against Austria and keeping a reserve of 50,000 men for a potential invasion of Malta. Ali Pasha formed five armies
- Army of Dobruja: 75,000 (Russia)
- Army of Budjak: 75,000 (Russia)
- Army of the Danube: 60,000 (Austria)
- Army of the Sava: 40,000 (Austria)
- Expedition Army: 50,000 (Malta)
This meant that the Ottoman Empire could still use 150,000 men against the Russian enemies and still be supported by almost a 100,000 Crimean Tatar Light cavalry by Qirim I Khan. The Danubian Principalities had each 15,000 men at best and could field 30,000 extra against the Austrians, though their loyalty was questioned. The Maltese expedition needs to be formed as soon as the French and Spanish Navies leave the Mediterranean for the Atlantic and the West Indies. Nobody can know that there is an invasion of Malta, so the rumor is actively spread that the remaining Forces will be used against a possible Austrian incursion in Dalmatia. If Ali Pasha’s expectations are right, the Austrians can field 90,000 men and the Russians 80,000 men against the Ottomans. These forces will likely be divided. The Ottoman Treasury will spend 10,000,000 Akce on the Armies to keep them going on. This also means that the taxes will increase with 10% as long as the war continues. Ali Pasha chose a few Commanders fit for leading armies:
- Bahri Mustafa Pasha (Governor of Anatolia)
- Sari Mustafa Pasha (former commander of the Janissaries)
- Seyyid Abdullah Pasha (Governor of Rumelia)
- Esat Pasha Al Azm (Governor of Syria)
- Ivazzade Halil Pasha (Governor of Belgrade)
- Izzet Mehmed Pasha (Governor of Baghdad)
Esat Pasha and Izzet Mehmed Pasha were already chosen to lead the expedition to Malta under command of the Admiral of the Navy, Ebubekir Pasha. Ali Pasha himself would lead the armies together with Halil Pasha against the Austrians while Sari Mustafa Pasha and Macar Hasan Pasha would lead the Armies in Bosnia. Bahri Mustafa and Seyyid Abdullah would be under the command of the Grand Vizier Mehmed Ragip Pasha and fight against the Russians. Sultan Osman was impressed with the details offered by Ali Pasha and was surprised by Pasha’s desire to go to battle himself. Ali Pasha declared that he would feel guilty that others have to execute the plan Ali Pasha made himself. He wants to keep everything organized by himself as much as possible to prevent disaster. When the Sultan asked what would be gained Ali Pasha explained that as well.
- Principality of Transylvania reestablished
- Principality of the Banat established
- Borders of the Crimean Khanate moved more to the North
- Crimean Khanate takes over the land of the Circassians
- Russian and Austrian intervention in Poland-Lithuania reduced by supporting Stanislaw Poniatowski
The first two points were the hardest. If the Ottomans did indeed succeed to create the Principality of Transylvania again as well as a Principality of the Banat, the Austrian ability to project power to the east is largely reduced. According to Ali Pasha, hitting the Austrians as far North as Buda is possible, though gaining much more than the formation of the Principalities is unlikely under any circumstances. Ali Pasha suggested asking a Bourbon Prince to be the Prince of a unified Principality of Transylvania and Banat. If the French Bourbons are put as Princes of the new Principality, they will be less eager to reject such peace offers. Whether this would work out in reality is still up to the question. If Transylvania is severed from the Hungarian Crown, the Hungarians will move away as time goes on from their loyalty of the Habsburgs to the new Bourbon Princes. A New Kingdom of Hungary will end one enemy for the Ottomans in Europe. When Sultan Osman III asked how long this process may take, Ali Pasha told it would take in the best case scenario about half a century. Osman III wanted results immediately but he went on with Ali Pasha’s plans. The plans were for the Austrian front:
- Eliminate the Austrian Armies invading Belgrade and Bosnia
- Move into the Banat and conquer Timișoara
- Use the town as a base of operation against the Austrians in the East
- If the Austrians have no success against Prussia, move further North and occupy Pest to prevent any aid to go East.
- Accept no less than the demands made after the first four points
- If the negotiations did not succeed, move into Croatia and lay siege on Agram.
The Russian situation was more tough. The Ottomans could not hit the Russian heartland as it was too far away. Fighting battles in the Russian Ukraine makes no sense as the area is hostile and does not affect the Russians. The main battles will be fought in Polish Ukraine and hopefully instigate a coup against August III of Poland-Lithuania. Stanislaw Poniatowski will be informed. Osman III was impressed. He eventually asked what if it doesn’t succeed? Ali Pasha had one answer: “we pray”...
The Armies were prepared. The officers as well. By next year, the Ottoman Empire will be at war and Vienna knows this. There is only a small chance the Ottomans may give in but that is a very slim chance.
Hekimoglu Ali Pasha (1689-1765), considered as a pioneer of the resurging Ottoman Power in the 18th century
Ottoman Statistics on Population: 33,000,000 (1755)
Rumelia: 8,000,000
- 1.3 million
- 50% Muslim, 45% Roman, 3% Armenian, 2% Jewish
- 1.2 million
- 63% Roman, 35% Muslim, 1% Armenian, 1% Jewish
- 0.5 million
- 75% Roman, 20% Muslim, 2% Jewish, 2% Latin, 1% Armenian
- 0.8 million
- 50% Muslim, 37% Roman, 12% Latin, 1% Jewish
- 0.6 million
- 60% Roman, 37% Muslim, 2% Jewish, 1% Armenian
- 0.3 million
- 63% Muslim, 35% Latin, 2% Roman
- 1.3 million
- 67% Roman, 30% Muslim, 2% Jewish, 1% Laitn
- 1.5 million
- 63% Roman, 30% Muslim, 6% Jewish, 1% Armenian
- 0.5 million
- 80% Roman, 15% Muslim, 2% Latin, 2% Armenian, 1% Jewish
Anatolia: 7,300,000
- 0.7 million
- 70% Muslim, 20% Roman, 7% Armenian, 2% Jewish, 1% Latin
- 1.0 million
- 75% Muslim, 17% Roman, 5% Armenian, 3% Jewish
- 0.8 million
- 85% Muslim, 9% Roman, 6% Armenian
- 0.8 million
- 80% Muslim, 12% Roman, 8% Armenian
- 0.8 million
- 80% Muslim, 12% Armenian, 7% Roman, 1% Jewish
- 0.8 million
- 70% Muslim, 25% Armenian, 5% Roman
- 0.6 million
- 67% Muslim, 25% Roman, 7% Armenian, 1% Jewish
- 0.6 million
- 60% Muslim, 30% Armenian, 6% Roman,
- 0.7 million
- 67% Muslim, 20% Armenian, 10% Assyrian, 3% Jewish
- 0.5 million
- 50% Muslim, 45% Armenian, 5% Assyrian
Levant: 4,000,000
- 1.5 million
- 70% Muslim, 15% Roman, 7% Armenian, 6% Coptic, 2% Latin
- 1.7 million
- 80% Muslim, 7% Coptic, 5% Latin, 4% Roman, 3% Armenian, 1% Jewish
- 0.8 million
- 60% Muslim, 17% Roman, 10% Jewish, 7% Latin, 3% Armenian, 2% Coptic
Mesopotamia: 4,000,000
- 1.1 million
- 80% Muslim, 10% Assyrian, 4% Armenian, 4% Yezidi, 2% Jewish
- 1.7 million
- 90% Muslim, 5% Latin, 3% Jewish, 2% Armenian
- 1.2 million
- 95% Muslim, 3% Armenian, 2% Jewish
Egypt: 8,000,000
- 4.5 million
- 75% Muslim, 20% Coptic, 2% Latin, 1% Armenian, 1% Roman, 1% Jewish
- 3.5 million
- 85% Muslim, 15% Coptic
Islands: 900,000
- 350,000
- 70% Roman, 25% Muslim, 5% Latin
- 300,000
- 63% Roman, 37% Muslim
- 50,000
- 60% Roman, 30% Muslim, 5% Jewish, 5% Latin
- 90,000
- 75% Roman, 20% Muslim, 5% Jewish
- 30,000
- 90% Roman, 5% Latin, 5% Muslim
- 80,000
- 90% Roman, 10% Latin
Capital: 800,000
- 800,000
- 50% Muslim, 30% Roman, 10% Armenian, 5% Jewish, 5% Latin
The population of the Ottoman Empire had reached 33,000,000 in 1755. It almost reached its population with the borders of 1683. Some areas of the Balkans were heavily Christian after occupation by Christian Nations like Belgrade (1718-1739) and Morea (1684-1714). Islamization of those areas happened with the settlement of Albanians, Slavs and Turks as military personnel. In much lesser degree conversion resulted in the growth of the Muslims. All Eastern Orthodox Christians were named as Roman. The Egyptian Copts and Syrian Orthodox as Coptic. The Roman Catholics as Latin. The Shias and Druzes were included as Muslims even if there were protests as such. This also meant the conscription of Shias in the Ottoman Army. All populations are registered by their religion.