Ottoman invasion of Bosnia and end of the Venetian war
Following the ascension of Stjepan Vukcic as the lord of South Bosnia, the rebel situation was hopeless for a while. But the Krstjani duke would have his own problems. His younger son Vlatko, a devout Krstjani was upset by his sister Katarina's marriage to Catholic king Thomas. He fled to rebel Stjepan with some dozen followers. In 17 Shaban 864 (15 June 1460), both he and the rebel Stjepan converted to islam and called upon sultan Muhammad to aid them. For the Sultan, this was a pleasant surprise. As the war against Venetians winded down elsewhere except Morea, Sultan ordered Mahmud Angelovic pasha and Umar bey to attack Bosnia. The already deteriorating situation turned worse as Hungary was on the brink of a civil war with Ladislaus Hunyadi gathering noble support against the seemingly independent Voivode of Transylvania Casimir.
Image : Stjepan Vukcic, the most powerful duke of Bosnia.
The Ottoman troops entered Bosnia and raided all the way upto Konjic. By 865(1461), Virtually all of kingdom of Bosnia south of Kamengrad was captured as king Thomas fled the capital . But a large chunk of southern Bosnia was left as Ottomans consolidated their gains north. This culminated in the banate of Herzegovina under Stejapan Vukcic's son, Vlad Vukcic. The Ottomans sent Umar bey to deal with the new challange as Mahmud pasha was made sanjakbey of Kresevo, virtually putting all of Ottoman Bosnia under his command. Umar bey faced the Herzeg army under Vlad vukcic in 20 Rabiul Sani 865 (10 February 1461) near Risan. The nearby Venetian stronghold of Kotor played a vital role as Venetian ships bombarded , thus not allowing the Ottomans to form up properly.
Image: battle of Risan
The Ottoman charge was repelled and the left wing of Ottomans was surrounded before they could retreat. When Vlad led a flanking cavalry charge through the haphazard Ottoman lines, they collapsed leaving Umar bey and his center surrounded. 2,000 out of 4,000 Ottoman troops died in the battle including Umar bey and his other commanders as the Herzeg troops encircled the numerically inferior Ottoman center. But this victory would provide no respite as King Thomas was dead and Kingdom of Bosnia ceased to exist. The few remaining cities south of Danube were incorporated into Croatia by the local lords.
But Banate of Herzeg would continue to resist Ottomans for a couple more years until Dhul Hajj 867 (September 1463) when Vlatko, now Hersekzade Mahmud pasha would finally arrive and capture the citadel of Novi, the de facto capital of the banate.
Meanwhile the Venetians had been ousted from Parga and Butrint fell on Jumada Awwal 865 ( March 1461) as Sultan Muhammad swept the Greek lands clean of Venetian 'filth' (as described by Byzantine chronicler Yohannes Iraklides). A Venetian counteroffensive to recapture Argos ended up in failure despite the impressive naval victory.
Image: Battle of Argos by Petrocio Luigini (circa 1100 AH)
Venetians were exhausted and sued for peace. Finally the war ended in 866 (1462) in the treaty of Konstantinyye where Venice lost all land possessions except Modon in Morea and Budva in Bosnia. But this was not the end of Venetian conflicts. As soon as peace with Ottomans was achieved, Venetians would butt heads with Hungarian king Ladislaus Hunyadi. A conflict was brewing in central and eastern Europe around the Hungarian king and his unruly voivode Casimir. With two of his arch enemies locked in a complex war, sultan Muhammad now looked elsewhere, for a plan he had since his ascension to the throne could be executed in a perfect time.
( from
'History of the Ottoman Empire' by Hayat Arghiros)
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12 Rajab 866 ( 20 April 1462)
Sarai, Khanate of Golden horde
As Temur Khwaja made his way to the darbar, his glum face was obvious to the court attendants who dared not to interrupt him from his thoughts.
His mother Qizil Hatun had been ill since his father Samiu'n's death. But it seemed to have worsened after Qadribek's rebellion and his capture leading to death by hanging. How different she was just some years ago! She could talk with guests and prepared pleasentries for them from morning till late night. Even horses were unable to match her energy for which she had to switch mounts at least once a day. Temur believed his mother could lead an army if she wished. Now seeing her in this sorry state clouded his mind in a shadow of grief.
"My Khan, Qimir is in revolt again." Orda beg Yadigu spoke.
"When did this happen? Haven't they had enough already? Do they want an independent Qimir?"
"They said that they will not serve under any Khan who's not of Jochid origin."
At this Temur frowned, his blue eyes emitting fire at the seeming insult to his bloodline by a group of renegades.
But the atmosphere in the courtroom suddenly changed as the sentries announced the arrival of a messenger.
A man entered and showed respect.
"Messenger from Sultan Muhammad of Osmanli"
Temur gestured him to continue.
"Khan of Tatars, this letter is to you from honorable sultan of Balkans and Anatolia, Muhammad, son of Murad, of Osmanli dynasty. We know how the craftiness of a woman resulted in your lot capturing the throne from the real Jochids...."
The courtroom became silent as the messenger read out this part but Temur seemed rather ambivalent, so the messenger continued.
"It is my wish that you'd refrain from meddling in Moldavia which falls within the realm of Osmanli infulence. Or be it known that there will be war. The soldiers of Sultan are numerous and powerful. We have defeated many Europeans before, so be warned! If you concede, I shall left you to rule Tatars despite your origin. I hope Allah gives you hedayat[1] in this regard."
The courtroom was pin drop silent. Now Temur rose from his throne and spoke:
"Tell your ruler, Muhammad, son of the shepherd Osmanli dynasty who paid taxes to our kin in Persia just two centuries ago, that I, Temur Khwaja am the Khan of Jochid ulus, Tsar of the Rus, ruler of Sibir and Qimir will not concede to his laughable demands. Since when does Moldavia fall within their influence? If your sultan wants war, then so be it. The Tatars have still not forgotten th way of Chingis Khan. And I demand that he stop supporting those rebels in Qimir, if he calls himself so honorable."
The courtroom was now filled with murmurs as the messenger exited.
"
Yadigu, recall Mongke and Ferdous noyan's armies from Russia and Aral. We are truly at war with the Turks now." Temur spoke as his nostrils flared. whatever happens, he will make sure the Turks will be sorry for it.
[1] To guide one to right path
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Jumada Awwal 864 (March 1460)
Urgunch, Taraghid shahdom
The city air was dry and the environment suffocating. Caravans entered and exited but the flow of traffic has decreased drastically since Persia was thrown into chaos. Desperate times call for desperate measures. People had to make hard choices between desire and pragmatism as the continuous cycle of life and death, triumph and defeat played out in the steppes
But none of the travelers were as much distraught as Gulhan, or so she thought. She was going to marry an emir of this city to uphold her father's alliance. Her heart bled and she wept in her sleep every night since then. But it was necessary, both her parents and 'brother' said so.
She must stop thinking about Suleiman, her head was spinning as she struggled to stay on the saddle. It was a strange feeling, she was angry then again she was not. Her anger at Suleiman was not out of contempt but out of hopelessness as he didn't reciprocate her feeling.
Then her thoughts went to her mother, father sister. To be frank she couldn't blame her father because there's no telling when the dog banners will return again. And she knows he wouldn't approve of her desire for the slave in the slightest.
Then she thought about Alfiye, that snake! She was smiling ear to ear when the preparations for her wedding was underway. To think that she even kissed her on the cheek during her departure as her 'favourite stepsister', in Alfiya's speech went on to start her new life. She thinks now she has free pass at Suleiman. But Gulhan would prove her wrong. She touched her waist where she had a salvation.
Later that day as evening approached and Maghreb salat was finished Gulhan was walked to her husband's room by two attendants. She walked as if she was an absconding criminal being walked to gallows. She had been reciting everything she knew in remembrance of Allah so that He would grant her respite from this ordeal.
The door closed and Gulhan felt as if she entered her grave. After a while she began prancing around the room. Suddenly she heard footsteps and went near the door. She could hear the opposite side as the door wasn't fully closed.
"It is settled. Don't worry my friend, I will support you. I prefer the gifts from a real Chingissid than a flimsy marriage to a mere mercenary." a groggy voice spoke as if just getting up from sleep.
"My emir you have drank too much." another voice spoke
"Emir, you shouldn't be so loud!" a different voice spoke much quietly.
"Eh, what do you think? That Khaydar isn't here. He'll probably arrive by tomorrow but he'll have no idea what he's walking into. And no wedding night is complete without a little wine."
Gulhan quickly retreated and sat on the bed looking the opposite direction as she heard the steps getting closer and finally the door opened to reveal her husband, a middle aged man in his late 40s. She didn't know what he was planning but from the conversation she overheard it didn't seem beneficial to her father. But she had to keep up her act until an opportunity rose.
"Hey beautiful, it's been a long time huh? I know you've been waiting for me but, state affairs..ugh." he said as he approached her.
"Welcome husband, I hope you enjoyed your evening." Gulhan said as she fumbled with her sleeve.
"Ah, you're quite the looker darling. So shall we begin?" he spoke as he brought her face closer. Just like a blushing bride, her cheeks turned red.
"You know I'm a bit romantic, so let's start with the lips." he continued as he advanced.
The insides of Gulhan was threatening to come out as she thought of kissing anyone other than her beloved. But she had to do it.
The emir closed his eyes in anticipation as he felt his bride clasp his neck as she leaned in .
Like a bolt from the blue, his eyes shot open as he felt a sharp stab on the side of his neck. His bride, if he could call her that was gritting her teeth. She withdrew the dagger and stabbed him repeatedly. Her face, neck and dress was spilled as blood began gushing out of the Emir's neck wound. She was panting as she pushed the corpse off her. She knew she had one chance and she took it. She wouldn't have to marry this man anymore! She quickly locked the door and wanted to wash herself but couldn't find any water. As a last resort she began to lick the blood off her clothes. The deed was done but now doubts began surfacing. Will her father believe her? What if all that was nothing but a drunken man's rambling and he actually respected his father? She shuddered thinking the damage she might have caused.
The rising commotion outside alerted her and she began licking frantically at her clothes to wipe the stains of blood. The salty chrome taste trickled at her tastebuds as she kept her ears open. Soon as she heard any footsteps getting closer, she would start shaking the bedframe. She looked for exits but the window seemed to be sealed. she began fumbling with it. She began chipping away at the wood using a sword found in the room, under the cover of commotion.
Time passed rather slowly but Gulhan wished that the night wasn't over. But her hopes were dashed as a powerful knocking shook her to the core.
"Open up you traitorous fiend! If you have hurt her any way I shall skin you alive!" The voice bellowed and Gulhan's ears perked up for it was a voice she knew too well. Hurriedly she opened the door and what a sight it was for her sore eyes! Suleiman stood there, in the flesh. So he came to save her after all. But her joy was short lived as she saw her father along with some of his associates enter the room, shoving her aside.
As he looked at Gulhan in a blood soaked dress and sword in hand, Suleiman could utter only one word:
"YA MA'BUD!"
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The Persian civil war: rise of Gurgtug and Musha'shiy'a tariqah
After Ulugh Taraghai's death Persia descended into chaos. There were 4 contenders to the throne of the most prosperous kingdom in Dar Al Islam. Of them two were sons of the famous astronomer king, namely Abdullah Mirza and Abdul Latif Mirza who ruled Herat and Gargum regions respectively. The other two were his nephews, sons of Baysangur. Of them Al Ad Dawla Mirza who ruled most of Persia east of Zagros mountains and Sultan Muhammad Mirza who ruled Persia west of Zagros.
By Rajab 862 (May 1458), the contenders were somewhat safe in their respective domains after snuffing out some revolts. For sultan Muahammad Mirza, it meant killing off preachers of a heretic Shia order named Musha'shi'ya in southern Iraq. But the Persian troops were not ubermen[1] so an important target slipped off, a scholar named Haris Bin Muhammad Abu Ali. He made his way to northern Iraq, namely Azerbaijan where numerous Turkmen tribes lived. The Ottoman expansion in Anatolia and the previous Timurid-Mamluke war pushed many Turkmen to inhabit the region between Kara Quyonlu and Taraghid territory. Further complicating things were the resurgent Georgian Empire under David 'the fiery' which expanded south towards the Aras river, chipping off bits of lands from the collapsing Kara Quyonlu. Being pressed from all sides, the Turkmen were easily swayed by the miracle filled tales of Ahle Bayt and the value of self sacrifice and the importance of Jihad against heretics and Infidels. This movement would not only survive but thrive amongst the Turkmen tribes. While Haris would die in 881, it would be his grandson named Ahmad who would take the movement towards new height as the 10th century begins.
Image: Haris Bin Muhammad
The first military move that would break the status quo between the princes would be in Shawwal 863 ( August 1459) when Ala Ad Dawla Mirza moved against his cousin Abdullah Mirza. The Gurgtug cavalry of the former was fierce and effective in battlefield and within no time the forces of Abdullah were on the retreat from their northern parts and fled to Herat en masse. But the siege of Herat wouldn't come as Abdul Latif Mirza attacked Semnan region prompting Ala Ad Dawla to divert his attention. The two forces met near Gorgan. While Ala Ad Dawla's forces were largely heavy and light cavalry the forces of Abdul Latif were more varied, which included troops from Tatar Aral sanjak. The civil war between the Shaybanid brothers, Muhammad and Yaqub raged on as the Khan was busy with Rus revolt and his own brother Qadribek's rebellion which threatend to tear the khanate apart. Thus as a gamble and a way to secure foreign alliance against his brother, Muhammad sent some of his troops to accompany Abdul Latif's army, which included some 80 gunners. 8 Dhul Hajj 863 (10 October 1459), the battle of Gorgan began with arrow volleys from archers. The cavalry soon clashed and for a while it seemed that no side was winning. Then Latif's cavalry retreated and seemingly scattered. Thinking it as a trick, Ad Dawla forbade his troops from following but some of his commanders were too early on victory celebration. Thus when volleys of gunfire showered upon the vanguard of Gurgtug cavalry, they began to retreat. Having no other choice, Ad Dawla ordered a general withdrawal. But he didn't retreat far off rather he took shelter in a village, now the modern day town of Faeyzabad. For 1 hour nothing happened, then out of the mist the sound of a new wave of thundering hooves reached the ears of the relaxed Latif Mirza's troops who were busy collecting war booty. A victory celebration turned into blood bath, the forces of Latif Mirza were cut down by the unstoppable Gurgtug cavalry, a hidden force which came from the east. Abdul Latif Mirza and most of his close emirs as well as 5,000 of his troops were killed.
Image: battle of Gorgan ( from a Persian manuscript)
But Ala Ad Dawla himself didn't fare much better. He lost 2600, half from gunfire of the Tatar contingent. So he retreated to his de Facto capital of Qom where he resupplied and recruited for future campaign. The Garagum region was now open for the nearby lords. The Aral civil war was also affected as Muhammad was on the backfoot after defeat of his ally. Yaqub, sensing the weakness evicted Muhammad loyalists from all of Aral except Kokqala. He also expanded towards Garagum. But here he would face a much tougher opponent. Emir of Urgunch, Jahangir was in marriage alliance with Khaydar, a mercenary working for Abdullah Mirza. When Yaqub was able to convince the former to change sides with secret gifts and promise of share in the Tatar realm, the greedy emir agreed. But on the night of his marriage, he was assassinated by none other than his bride to be. It is not clear how Khaydar got wind of the agreement but he immediately captured Urgunch and declared himself lord of the Garagum as a vassal of Taraghid ruler Abdullah in Herat. But Khaydar's rule of would be interrupted when Ala Ad Dawla Mirza returned after an inconclusive clash against Sultan Muhammad. Now the decisive battle for Persia wouldn't be far off.
Image: Khaydar Makmut (circa 1300 AH)
(From
'Tarikh Ul Fars Wal Mashreq' by Ali Adnani)
[1] ITTL word for superman
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The madness begins! Tatars and Turks are about to go at each other whilst Persia is in utter chaos. Balkan is Turkish and Venice has ran out of luck as they are drawn into a conflict they didn’t start. We now have our Alt Safavids, time will tell whether they will rise to prominence. And it was fun writing the piece of Gulhan. The tension, the blood and finally the trick of shaking the bed
. Things will progress quickly now. What do you think Muhammad wants with Golden horde? Stay tuned viewers.
