Chapter XXX: Section X: The order of the Diván (3)

Sultán Murád was taught the science of archery by Pehleván Hájí Soleïmán and Sárí Solák. There is still to be seen in the Ok-maidán near the Tekieh of the archers, a marble column indicating the spot where an arrow shot by Sultán Murád fell. This shot surpassed that of all the former Pehleváns excepting Túzkoparán, and left far behind the aims of Karalandha, Báyazíd Khán, Khattát Sheikh, Demirdilisí and Meserlí Dúndár. In the gardens of Tokát, Sultán Murád once cut an ass in two with one stroke of his sword. In the game of the mace (gúrz) he could wield with the greatest ease a mace weighing two hundred okkas, and perform all the tricks of the art. And so did he distinguish himself in the exercises of wrestling and boxing. Our master in these exercises, Dervísh Omar, on hearing several slang expressions of the art, such as, “Cut not! strike not! hold not!” used by Sultán Murád, exclaimed, “Look at that master-butcher!” in reference to his cruel disposition, which was never satisfied without shedding blood. The Sultán was pleased with the joke, and smiled at it. He was also expert in the game of matrak, in which balls are struck with clubs, and which has no less than one hundred and sixty _band_ or tricks. He used to strike the ball with such force that it struck the head of his partner. His master in this game was Toslák Kapúdán, the juggler of the admiral’s galley, who was an expert marine (levend), and whose name is recorded in the elegy composed by Júrí Chelebi Sheikh in twelve languages. This Toslák Kapúdán, though considered one of the most skilful in this play, did not equal Sultán Murád.

Finally, the emperor was a good poet, equal to Nafa’í and Júrí; and his diván or collection of odes, consists of three hundred leaves; but it wants the odes ending in the letters Ta and A’in. These were to have been supplied by Vahabí Othmán Chelebí, but he died before he could complete them.

During the winter he regulated his assemblies as follows: On Friday evening he assembled all the divines, Sheiks, and the readers of the korán, and with them he disputed till morning on scientific subjects. Saturday evening was devoted to the singers who sang the Iláhí, the Na’t, and other spiritual tunes. Sunday evening was appropriated to the poets and reciters of romances, such as Nafa’í, Júrí, Nadímí, Arzí, Nathárí, Beyání, Izzetí, &c. On Monday evening he had the dancing boys, Sárí Chelebí, Chakmak Chelebí, and Semerjí-zádeh; and the Egyptian musicians Dabágh Oghlí, Parpúr Kúlí, Osmán Kúlí, Názlí Kúlí, Ahmed Kúlí, and Sheher Oghlání. This assembly sat till daybreak, and resembled the musical feast of Husain Bhikará. On Tuesday evening he received the old experienced men who were upwards of seventy years, and with whom he used to converse in the most familiar manner. On Wednesdays he gave audience to the pious saints; and on Thursdays to the Dervíshes. In the mornings he attended to the affairs of the Moslems. In such a manner did he watch over the Ottoman states, that not even a bird could fly over them without his knowledge. But were we to describe all his excellent qualities we should fill another volume.

Praise be to Allah, that my father was the chief of the goldsmiths from the time of Sultán Soleïmán till that of Sultán Ibrahím; and I was honoured with the society of so glorious a monarch as Sultán Murád IV. Previously to his Majesty’s undertaking the expedition to Baghdád I left the imperial Harem, and was appointed a Sipáhí, with an allowance of forty aspres per day.

_List of the Kapúdán Páshás during the Reign of Sultán Murád IV._

The first was Rajab Páshá, who, as we have before related, captured three hundred Cossack boats in the Black Sea, and brought them to Constantinople. His successor, Khalíl Páshá, an Albanian by birth, took near the rocks of Flúra in the Mediterranean, a famous ship of the infidels which was called Kara-jehennem (black-hell), and which had a large mill within it, and a garden on the quarter-deck.

Hasan Páshá, the son of a Janissary of Tahtáljeh, near Constantinople. In the year 1035 (1625) he built two castles on the Dneiper. He was afterwards degraded, and died suddenly at Yenísheher in 1041 (1631).

Vezír Jánpúlád Zádeh Mustafá Páshá, married Fatima the sister of Sultán Murád, and was made Kapúdán Páshá in 1041. His name spread terror over the whole of the Mediterranean even as far as the straits of Gibraltar; he built a castle at Athens; and even before that was finished he was appointed governor of Rúmeïlí. In this capacity he was ordered to undertake the expedition against Eriván, and so many troops did he assemble, that the suburbs of Constantinople were filled with them; and three months were required to have them passed over the Bosphorus to Scutari on flat-bottomed boats.

Ja’fer Páshá resigned the office of Bostánjí Báshí for that of Kapúdán Páshá in 1043 (1633). He spread terror amongst the infidels. That same year, on the Feast of Victims, he met three English men-of-war in the Mediterranean, between the castles of Kesendreh and Kolúz. The English being fire-worshippers, according to the sacred text, “They were burnt and the men drowned;” they set fire to two of the vessels. The third, with two hundred guns, was taken before they could set fire to it, and was brought with immense booty to Sultán Murád.

After Ja’fer Páshá, Delí Husain Páshá was made Kapúdán Páshá, in which capacity he took the field against Eriván. He was afterwards appointed governor of Egypt.

His successor was Kara Mustafá Páshá, an Albanian by birth, and educated a Janissary. During the siege of Baghdád, he was the deputy of Píáleh at the Ters-kháneh (arsenal), and cruised in the Black Sea with two hundred ships of the imperial fleet. In this expedition he encountered two hundred Cossack boats, of which he captured seventy, with the hetman. The rest made their escape during the night, and secured themselves, in the reeds and marshes of the river Kúbán. Píáleh Páshá pursued them, and closed the entrance of the river; but the infidels carried their boats overland, whilst Píáleh waited for their appearance in vain. At last he was informed by Khoajeh Kana’án Páshá, the governor of Oczakov, and by the khán of the Tátárs, of the scheme of the infidels; upon which he weighed anchor, came round to the island of Tamán, and shut up the channel by which the Cossacks had intended making their escape. Being now surrounded on land by Khoajeh Páshá, and the Tátár Khán, the Cossacks made a camp with their boats in the mouth of the river, and defended themselves for seven days and nights. This battle is even now memorable by the name of Adakhún. Finally, not one of their boats escaped, but they were all carried in triumph to Constantinople, with the crosses of their flags turned downwards, and the whole fleet anchored opposite the arsenal. The news of this victory gave fresh courage to the troops engaged at the siege of Baghdád.

The other Kapúdán Páshás were, Salihdár Mustafá Páshá, and Síávush Páshá. The latter was an Abází by birth, and being a man of the strictest honour, he was disliked by the people of the arsenal, and was consequently dismissed from office.

_The Muftís and Ulemá during the Reign of Sultán Murád._

Yehiyá, the son of Zekeríá, was Sheikh al Islám when Sultán Murád ascended the throne; in the year 1034, he was succeeded by Khoajeh Zádeh Isa’d Efendí, and in 1041 by Husain Efendí, who was slain in the rebellion and thrown into the sea. Yehiyá was then made Sheikh al Islám a third time. I was then the first Mu’azzin at the mosque of the eunuch Mohammed Aghá, when he appointed me his reader of the Na’át, in which capacity I attended him every Friday.

The chief judges of Constantinople were, Kehiyá Mustafa Efendí; Bostan-zádeh Efendí, and his brother; Azmí Zádeh Efendí; Sáleh Efendí; Cheshmí Mahmúd Efendí; Hasan Efendí; and Cheshmí Efendí, a third time.

_Chief Judges of Rúmeïlí._

Abdul-ghaní Mohammed Efendí; Sheríf Mohammed Efendí; Kara Chelebí Zádeh Efendí; Husain Efendí in the year 1037; Azmí Zádeh Mustafá Efendí 1038; Hasan Efendí 1039; Bostánjí Zádeh Yehiyá Efendí 1039; Abú Sa’íd Efendí 1039; Husain Efendí, a third time chief judge of Rúmeïli; Cheshmí Efendí; Husain Efendí, a fourth time judge of Rúmeïlí; Kara Chelebí Zádeh Mohammed Efendí, a third time 1042; Abdullah Efendí 1042.

_Chief Judges of Anatolia._

Azmí-zádeh Efendí 1032; Sheríf Mohammed Efendí, a second time, and his son Chelebí Zádeh Abdullah, 1037; Abú Sa’íd Efendí, 1039; Abú Sa’úd Zádeh Efendí, 1040; Cheshmí Mohammed Efendí, 1041; Ahmed Efendí Zádeh; Núh Efendí.

_Defterdárs during the Reign of Sultán Murád._

Cheshmí Mohammed Efendí, 1032; Sáleh Efendí; Hedáyet-allah Efendí, 1033; Oshákí Zádeh Efendí, 1035; Abú Isa’d Efendí, 1035; Otlokjí Hasan Efendí, 1035; Abú Sa’úd Zádeh Efendí, 1036; Abu Sa’íd Efendí; Núh Efendí, 1039; Rajab Efendí, 1040; Músá Efendí, 1041; Jeví-zádeh Efendí 1042; Makhdúm Husain Efendí 1043; Azíz Efendí Kara Chelebí Zádeh 1043.

_Aghás of the Janissaries during the Reign of Sultán Murád._

Cheshlejí Alí Aghá; Kara Mustafá Aghá; Bairám Aghá; Khosrau Aghá; Mohammed Kehiyá Aghá; Alí Aghá; Khalíl Aghá; Soleïmán Aghá; Hasan Aghá; Hasan Khalífeh Aghá; Mustafá Aghá; Kosseh Mohammed Aghá; Mohammed Aghá.

_Sultán Murád’s Expedition against Malta._

When Sultán Murád had returned from Baghdád crowned with victory, he was obliged to undertake an expedition in person against Malta, an island in the Mediterranean. The causes which led him to this determination are as follows. Complaints were made by the Musulmáns in every direction of the depredations committed by the Maltese Christians in every port of the Mediterranean, particularly on the African coast. Trade of every sort was at a stand, and the pilgrims to the holy cities were molested in their passage. But above all, the Mainotes had become very troublesome in the Archipelago. These had been subdued in the time of Sultán Mohammed II., and at the time of this rebellion they amounted to fifty thousand men. They had about one hundred vessels with which they plundered the islands, intercepted the ships of merchants and pilgrims, and every year took thousands of prisoners. Since the time that the Kapúdán Púlád-zádeh had scoured the coast of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia no imperial fleet had made its appearance in those quarters, the infidels raised their heads, their audacity knew no bounds, and they plundered on the shores of the Ottoman empire.

These complaints were at length laid before the Sultán in a report by Kara Mustafá Páshá. A council was immediately held consisting of the grand vezír Kara Mustafá Páshá, the Kapudán Síávush Páshá, the Kehiyá of the arsenal Píáleh, and seventy begs of the sea (captains of war-ships), and the most experienced officers of the arsenal; the result of which was that the building of a _báshtirdeh_ (admirals ship) and of twenty galleys, each eighty cubits long, was immediately commenced by the express order of the emperor. Two thousand purses (one million of piastres) were allotted to the Kapúdán Páshá, to the Kehiyá, and to the inspector of the arsenal. Five docks near the arsenal were pulled down, and three new ones were built in their stead each as large as a caravanserai; and in them a báshtirdeh for the emperor, and two green _máonas_ were constructed in the space of three months. The máonas had seventy benches and one hundred and forty oars, each of which was moved by eight men. At the stern and bow of each there was a large gun, weighing from forty to fifty okkas, besides hundreds of guns on each side. They were indeed such vessels that even Noah might have considered himself secure in them. In short, on the return of spring, two hundred ships of war, consisting of báshtirdehs, galleys, and others were ready for sea, with arms, men, and provisions three times the quantity required. The galleys of all the islands of the Archipelago of Egypt and of the Morea, amounted to five hundred, which were followed by the same number of transport ships. They had besides some huge vessels called _Káruváns_ because they made a voyage to Egypt only once a-year, requiring six months to load and six months to discharge. Each of these carried fifteen hundred serving men and two thousand troops. Besides these, there were five hundred smaller vessels of every description; _viz._ Barja (barges), Kalíún (galleys), Perk, Porton, Shika, and Kara-mursál which were hired by government. In short the whole fleet amounted to eleven thousand seven hundred vessels, which being prepared for sailing, were moored in the harbour of Constantinople.

_Account of the Death of Sultán Murád._

The _Togh_ (tails) and _Seráperdeh_ (tents) were already raised at Dávud Páshá preparatory to a new expedition, when the emperor enfeebled by sickness found it impracticable to set out. According to the Arabic text: “Every one must perish,” and the Persian verse: “If any person could remain for ever upon the earth, Mohammed would have remained; if beauty could secure immortality, Yúsuf (Joseph) would not have died,” no one is exempt from destiny. And Sultán Murád being obedient to the call, “Return to thy lord,” bade farewell to this perishable world and entered on his journey to the everlasting kingdom. The whole of the Mohammedan nation were thrown into the deepest affliction, and lamented his loss. Horses hung with black were let loose in the At-Maidán, where his Majesty was buried close to Sultán Ahmed.

The new emperor, Sultán Ibráhím, gave the seals to Kara Mustafá Páshá. Kara Hasan Páshá was made Defterdár; Abd-ur-rahím Efendí, Shaikh-ul-Islám; and in order that the fleet prepared by Sultán Murád against Malta should not lie useless, it was sent to the Mediterranean, where a máona was lost, nothing of consequence effected, and the whole fleet with its troops returned to Islámbol after the autumnal equinox. One of the máonas was moored off the arsenal and painted black to represent the mourning for the death of Sultán Murád, an event which gave the Maltese infidels an opportunity of recommencing their hostilities. “Man proposes, but God disposes.” I have since heard from the pearl-shedding lips of my worthy lord, Kara Mustafá, that had God spared Murád but six months longer, the whole of the infidels would have been reduced to the capitation tax. The Ragusians came forward as mediators for the infidels of Malta and Spain, stipulating on the part of the former to give up the island of Malta, and on the part of the latter, the Red-apple (Rome). But fate had otherwise decreed.

Ibráhím, the youngest of Sultán Ahmed’s seven sons, ascended the throne in the year 1049 (1639). He was then twenty-five years old; but not very intelligent.

_Vezírs of Sultán Ibráhím._

Kara Mustafá Páshá was vezír when Ibráhím came to the throne, and was confirmed in his office. Fearing he should fall a victim to the rebels, he fled from the garden of the Seráï to his own palace, and changed his dress, but he was shot by a bústánjí opposite the palace of Músá Páshá. He was buried in his own mausoleum at the Pármak-kapú. He was followed by Juván Kapújí-báshí, who died at the siege of Candia. Sáleh Páshá, a Bosnian by birth, from the village of Lúbin in Herzegovina, was put to death by the intrigues of Tezkerehjí Ahmed Páshá. Ahmed Páshá succeeded him, but he too was intimidated by the rebels, which being discovered by Mohammed Páshá, he was strangled, his body thrown into the At-Maidán, and instantly torn to pieces by the rebels. The same day Pezavenk, and the emperor’s mosáhib, Khoajeh Jenjí, were also torn to pieces by the permission of the Ulemá.

_The Vezír who rebelled against Sultán Ibráhím._

Várvár Alí Páshá, the governor of Sívás, having refused to give to Mavrúl for Sultán Ibráhím, his daughter, the wife of Ibshír Páshá, on the ground that such a demand was contrary to law, he was dismissed from his office; after which he placed himself at the head of a party of troops to maintain his cause against the order issued for his death. Kopreilí Mohammed Páshá took the field against him; but he vanquished Kopreilí, and on his arrival at Cherkesh, he was assailed and put to death by Ibshír Páshá, on whose account he had rebelled.

Ibráhím built several koshks in the New Seráï, on which many chronograms were composed.

_Conquests, &c. during the reign of Sultán Ibráhím_.

Nasúh Páshá Zádeh was defeated in the plains of Scutari by Kara Mustafá Páshá. The Cossacks became masters of Azov, the khán of the Tatars having been tardy in affording it the necessary succours; in consequence of which, seven hundred vessels were sent to besiege Azov. The siege continued two months, during which time the Moslems reduced the walls of the fortress to dust; but the infidels held out, by subterraneous trenches, a month longer, when, on account of the approach of winter, the brave army of Moslems was obliged to return without victory. In the following year Juván Kapújí Báshí equipped three hundred ships, and filling them with Moslem warriors, renewed the siege of Azov. The Cossacks, being much alarmed, left the castle without the least attempt to defend it; and hence the well-known proverb, “Husain Páshá gave battle, but Mohammed Páshá conquered without battle.” Mohammed Páshá kept the whole army of Moldavia, Valachia, Circassia, and the Ottoman troops, in order to rebuild the fortress, which was effected in the space of seven months. I, the humble Evliyá, saw it in the fourth campaign when I remained in the Crimea, and the Tátár Khán wintered with his army in Azov. The grand vezír at the same time returned with the imperial fleet to the Sublime Porte.

The second conquest of Sultán Ibráhím is that of Valachia and Moldavia by the khán of the Tátárs. Mátí Voivode, the prince of Valachia, and Lipúl, the prince of Moldavia, having reigned twenty years and acquired the wealth of Kárún (Crœsus), they cherished a deadly enmity against each other. Lipúl gave one of his daughters in marriage to the Hettman of the Cossacks, Prince Khmelentski, who assisted him with 20,000 Cossacks; whilst Mátí Voivode collected an army of 100,000 men at Bucharest. The accounts of this quarrel having reached Constantinople, the troops of Rúmeilí and of the Tátár Khán were ordered out to prevent their coming to battle. The armies of the two infidels, however, met at Fokshán, on the frontiers of Moldavia and Valachia. Lipúl was beaten, and upwards of 70,000 men were killed on both sides. The Ottoman army and the Tátár troops availed themselves of this opportunity to make numerous inroads into the countries of Moldavia and Valachia, whence they carried off more than 100,000 prisoners, besides many thousands of cattle. They, moreover, wasted the country, reduced the towns to ruins, and carried the Voivode Lipúl to Constantinople, where he was imprisoned in the Seven Towers. The Voivode of Valachia was pardoned for the sum of two thousand purses (a million of piastres), and confirmed in his principality. Heaven be praised that I was in the Tátár army at the time of this splendid victory; and after sharing plentifully in the plunder, returned to the Crimea.

The third conquest is that of Canea in the island of Candia, by Salihdár Yúsuf Páshá. This glorious victory must be ascribed to the piety of Sultán Ahmed Khán, who prayed that he might obtain that island from the Venetians, with the view of appropriating its revenues to the endowment of two mosques. Another cause, however, of the conquest was, that a large caravella, carrying 3,000 pilgrims, with the late chief of the eunuchs Sunbul Aghá, to Egypt, was attacked off Degirmenlik by six Maltese vessels. After a fierce battle of two days, in which Sunbul Aghá, and the master of the caravella were killed, the Maltese became masters of it, and carried it to Canea in Candia, where they anchored; although this was contrary to the treaty entered into by Khair-ud-dín Páshá, according to which the infidels were not allowed to shelter in their harbour any vessels taken by the enemies of the Ottoman empire. The Venetians however favoured the Maltese, and even allowed all the horses and property of the deceased chief of the eunuchs to be sold at Canea. Sultán Ibráhím, displeased with this proceeding, feigned an expedition against Malta, and appointed Salihdár Yúsuf Páshá to the command of seven hundred ships. These first sailed as far as Navarino, where they took in water, left twenty of the slowest sailing vessels behind, filled the others with troops, and sailed directly for the castle of San Todors on Candia, which immediately surrendered. They then laid siege to Canea, which was the sixth conquest, and shall be described shortly. Thank God! I was present at this sixth conquest, being on board the frigate of Dúrák-beg, who plundered the islands of Cerigo and Cerigotto. Yúsuf Páshá, the conqueror of Canea, having returned to Constantinople, as a reward for his services, was killed at the instigation of Jinjí Khoájeh.

The fourth victory was that over Várvár by Ibshír Páshá the traitor. Várvár Alí preferred losing his place to giving up his daughter, the wife of Ibshír Páshá, to Sultán Ibráhím. The infamous traitor Ibshír joined his father-in-law at Tokát, and persuading him that he would accompany him to Constantinople, there to seek redress for the outrage committed on their family, lulled him into a sleep of security; and on arriving at a place called Cherkess, attacked him suddenly, sent his head to Constantinople, and as a reward, received the government of Síwás.

_Defeat of Tekelí Mustafá Pashá_.

The Venetians having ravaged the native country of Yúsuf Páshá, the conqueror of Canea, who was a Croatian by birth, and having brought over to their interests the Uskoks, the inhabitants of those countries, Tekelí Páshá was nominated commander, and besieged the castle of Sebenico in the Adriatic sea for forty days. On the fortieth day they were driven from the trenches by a dreadful storm, after which they assembled in the plain of Vanul near Sebenico. The next morning they found themselves surrounded by many thousands of banners bearing the cross, and a bloody engagement ensued, in which 22,000 Moslems were slain, 18,000 made prisoners, and the whole camp fell into the hands of the infidels. I, the humble Evliyá, was present at this unfortunate battle, being in one of the regiments of Janissaries; and in order to save myself, I fled on horseback towards the mountains of Ghulámúj, where I left my horse, entered a thick forest, and remained concealed seven days and nights, living upon roots and herbs. The infidels then advanced to Kilisa, where they pitched the Ottoman tents, and the commander-in-chief even put on the turban of Tekelí Mustafá Páshá. The garrison, deceived by this stratagem, came out without fear to meet the diván, whilst the infidels rushed in, and thus became masters of that strong hold. Such misfortunes never befel the Ottoman empire as those which followed the defeat at Sebenico. The ships with pilgrims were captured by the Venetians, as was also the imperial fleet on its annual cruise in the Mediterranean; and the whole were carried to Venice.

_Character of Sultán Ibráhím._

Kara Mustafá Páshá, the brave and sagacious vezír, being put to death, the Sultán fell into the hands of all the favourites and associates of the harem, the dwarfs, the mutes, the eunuchs, the women, particularly Jinjí Khoájeh, and the vezír Ahmed Hazár-pára Páshá, who corrupted him to such a degree that he received bribes from his own vezírs. He lavished the treasures of Egypt on his favourite women Políeh, Sheker Pára, Tellí, and Sájbághlí Khásekí; and squandered his revenues in circumcision feasts, building koshks lined with sable, and in presents to his favourite Jinjí Khoájeh, who at last, with the vezír Ahmed, fell under the displeasure of the public. So loud was the cry for vengeance, that the vezír was obliged to call to his assistance the Ottoman troops who had served in Candia under the command of Delí Husain Páshá. Jinjí Khoájeh, the favourite, was constantly about the person of the Sultán, the vezír, or the válideh; and whenever the latter went out in the carriage or the chair, he always accompanied her. When any gave good advice he laughed in their faces, and by his flattering conversation, he kept the Sultán in a state of constant lethargy: in short, he knew nothing of state affairs. He was originally called Shaikh-zádeh, and attended with me at the college of Hámid Efendí. I was then reading the Káfiyeh with Jámí’s commentary, under my worthy tutor Akhfash Efendí, when this boy was taken from his grammar into the presence of the Sultán, whose favour he obtained by reading several tales, and lulled him into the sleep of carelessness. He then received the name of Jinjí Khoájeh. As I was well acquainted with him, I knew that he had no taste for the secret sciences; and that the rise of his brilliant star would only tend to his own misfortune and that of the empire.

At length Murád Aghá arrived from Candia to the assistance of the Sultán; but the latter having demanded of him a present of one thousand purses, seventy sable skins, and two female slaves, he put himself at the head of the Sipáhís and Janissaries, who turned out in the At-maidán in open rebellion. Sultán Ibráhím was confined in a part of the palace called Sircheh-seráï, and his son Mohammed IV. was proclaimed emperor. The divines and vezírs made obeisance to him; Dervísh Mohammed was named grand vezír, and Murád, ághá of the Janissaries. The day after, Ahmed Páshá, the late vezír, who had concealed himself, was discovered and torn to pieces by the populace, as were also Yani Sireh and Jinjí, and their bodies were thrown out upon the At-maidán. The rest of the favourites were either killed or exiled. Of the favourite women, Sheker-pára was banished to Ibrím, the rest were confined in the old Seráï, or distributed amongst the vezírs. On the morning of the 25th of Rajab, Sultán Mohammed proceeded in state to the mosque of Eyúb, to be invested with the sword. On his return, he visited the tomb of his ancestor Mohammed II. and then took his seat in the Khás-ódá. In the mean time a report was circulated through the city that Sultán Ibráhím had escaped from his confinement, and that he was supported by a party of the Bóstánjís. In consequence of this report, many thousands were in an uproar, and proceeded armed to the At-maidán, where they received a _fetvá_, or warrant for the execution of Ibráhím Abdu-r-rahmán Efendí. The grand vezír, Murád, Emír-Páshá, and some of the first officers of government, also assembled in the Sircheh Seráï. The vezír, with many blows, obliged Kara Alí, the executioner, to enter the Sircheh Seráï and do his work. Ibráhím asked: “Master Alí, wherefore art thou come?” He replied, “My emperor, to perform your funeral service.” To this, Ibráhím replied, “We shall see.” Alí then fell upon him; and whilst they were struggling, one of Alí’s assistants came in, and Ibráhím was finally strangled with a garter. This happened in 1058 (1648). Kara Alí received a reward of five hundred ducats, and was urged to remain no longer at Constantinople, but to proceed on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The corpse of the emperor was washed before the Khás-ódá, and the last prayers were read under the cypresses before the Díván-Kháneh, in the presence of all the vezírs, and of Sultán Mohammed himself, the Shaikh-ul-Islám acting as Imám. The vezírs wore black veils, and horses covered with black were led before the coffin, which was deposited in the mausoleum of Sultán Mustafá I., the uncle of Sultán Ibráhím.

_Reign of Sultán Mohammed IV., which may God perpetuate!_

This emperor ascended the throne on Saturday the 18th of Rajab 1058 (1648), being then seven years old. Not a single _falús_ was found in the treasury, and it was evidently necessary to collect some money by executing those who had squandered it away in the time of Sultán Murád, to make the usual largess to the troops. From the property of Jinjí were realized 3,000 purses; from that of the late vezír, 5,000; and from that of Sheker-pára, 1,000; so that on Tuesday the 5th of Sha’bán, 3,700 purses were distributed as presents, and 7,000 purses as arrears of pay. Three thousand Janissaries, who had been proscribed and ordered to march to Baghdád, and the same number of Sepáhís destined for Candia, although they had no claim to the largess, received 1,000 purses; and the whole army were highly satisfied. On the 11th of Sha’bán, the largess was distributed amongst the servants of the Seráí. The cooks and confectioners, not having received any thing, rebelled, on which account the Kilárjí-báshí was disgraced.

_Personal description of Sultán Mohammed._

Though very weak when he mounted the throne, he acquired strength when, at the age of twenty, he took to field sports. He had broad shoulders, stout limbs, a tall figure, like his father Ibráhím; a powerful fist, like his uncle Murád, open forehead, grey eyes, a ruddy countenance, and an agreeable voice, and his carriage was princely, in short, that of an emperor. The astrologers had predicted to Sultán Ibráhím that he should have a son called Yúsuf (Joseph), and possessing the beauty of a Joseph, who would subdue the nations from the east to the west, and quell all external and internal commotions. When his mother was near her time, Ibráhím took an oath, that if it were a male child, he would name him after the person who should first bring him the good news. By the decree of God, he received the intelligence from Yúsuf, the Imám of the palace, who at the same time read the confession of faith over the young prince, calling him Yúsuf, which name he had only seven hours; the favourites and women of the palace having insinuated that Yúsuf was a slave’s name, and that Mohammed would sound much better, he was accordingly named Mohammed, though in truth he grew up beautiful as Yúsuf. He had a small beard, large mustaches, and was much devoted to field sports.

_History of the Vezírs_.

Mevleví Khoájeh Dervísh Mohammed Páshá retired from the office of defterdár with the rank of a Páshá of three tails, and resided in a monastery of Mevlevís. He was appointed grand vezír when Sultán Mohammed IV. came to the throne; but having made immense confiscation of property in order to raise funds for the payment of the troops, he was obliged to retire to Malagra, where he was strangled. He was a just and valuable servant of the state. His successor was Kara Murád Páshá, who was born in Albania, and was brought up as a Janissary. Like his predecessor, he was dismissed from office for having spent too much money in organizing the imperial navy and army. He was succeeded by my lord Melek Ahmed Páshá, who was born at Constantinople; but at the age of three years was sent to the country of Abáza, where he was educated till he was fifteen. He was then, along with my mother, sent as a present to Sultan Ahmed. He was consigned to the pages in the harem, and my mother was given to my father, shortly after which union, the humble writer was born. Melek Ahmed’s father was the kehiyá of the kapújís of Ozdemir-oghlí Osmán Páshá; and having been present in the battles of Shírwán, Ganjeh, and Derbend, died at the age of one hundred and forty years. Melek then became the sword-bearer and confidential attendant of Sultán Murád IV., and on the day of the conquest of Baghdád, he received the government of Díárbekr. He subsequently enjoyed all the high offices in the state; and having held the governments of Cairo and Budin, and become an old and experienced statesman, he was at last raised to the rank of grand vezír. He sent 3,000 Sipáhís to aid Delí Husain Páshá in Candia, and a togh (tail) to Biklí Mustafá Páshá. By this assistance, Delí Husain was enabled to take the castles of Selina and Retimo. The following year Hasám Oghlí Alí Páshá was made Kapúdán Páshá, and sailed to the Mediterranean with a fleet of 300 vessels, equal to the famous fleet of Kílí Alí Páshá. After an engagement with the infidels, in which the latter were defeated, the fleet anchored in the harbour of Kara Khoájehler, and the troops having carelessly gone on shore, the infidels came upon them and set fire to forty galleys and eleven galeons. When the news of this calamity reached the vezír, he offered to give up the seals, but the emperor would not accept his resignation, and thus he remained in office with a salary of 700 purses.

_The cause of his fall._

The garrison at Azov having mutinied for want of pay, and murdered some of their officers, three hundred purses of money were changed into ducats, and were sent off by messengers on horseback, it being impossible to forward them by sea in the winter season. These three hundred purses were levied upon the merchants and tradesmen of Constantinople, to whom the Defterdár Emír Páshá, Kadda Kehiyá, and the inspector of the customs Hasan Chelebí, distributed linen, red and blue Morocco leather, and drugs, the confiscated property of many Musulmáns. One morning all the guilds of Constantinople assembled in arms on the At-Maidán, and with cries of “Alláh! Alláh!” proceeded to the royal Seráï to make their complaints against the three officers above mentioned. The Sultán sent three times for Melek Ahmed, who, fearing the violence of the mob, refused to come. At last the kapújílar kehiyásí (chief chamberlain), and the khás oda báshí (chief of the pages), came and insisted that he should either come to the presence or give up the seals. With the latter proposal he at once complied, and was afterwards appointed governor of Silistria, though he continued to reside some time at a house called the Topjílar Seráï in the vicinity of Constantinople.

The grand vezír who succeeded him was Síávush Páshá, an Abáza by birth. He was first chokadár to Sultán Murád IV., then Kapúdán Páshá, and passed through all the offices in Egypt. The kizlar-ághá, Dív Soleïmán Aghá, having strangled the mother of Sultán Murád, Kosem Sultáneh, with her own hair, and killed the ághá of the Janissaries, their lieutenant-general and their secretary, was one day boasting of his feats, when he suddenly gave Síávush a blow on the face, and taking the seals from him, gave them to Gúrjí Mohammed Páshá. Gúrjí had formerly obtained some repute as jebbehjí báshí (chief of the armoury) in the war of Hotín. He succeeded in raising a large fleet, and sent two thousand Janissaries and three thousand Sipáhís to Candia; but was dismissed from office on the pretext of being imbecile. His successor Tarkhúnjí Ahmed Páshá had been kehiyá to the vezírs Músá and Hazár-páreh Ahmed Páshá. He was subsequently made grand vezír of Egypt and of the Cupola; and though he raised the means of supporting the navy and army, and kept both in an excellent state, he was put to death on the plea of being a traitor.

Kapúdán Bíklí Dervísh Mohammed Páshá was a slave of Mustafá, the kizlar-ághá of Sultán Othmán, and a native of Circassia. He was a man possessed of great ability, and took a great interest in the affairs of state; but by the decree of God, he was attacked by a paralytic stroke, which confined him six months. During this period, the business of his office was transacted by Melek Ahmed Páshá, as káïm-makám or lieutenant. His disease proved fatal, and the seals were consigned a second time to Melek Ahmed Páshá; but after a consultation of all the Ulemá, which lasted for seven hours, on the suggestion of Melek Ahmed himself, it was resolved that the seals should be sent to Ibshír Páshá, a relation of the famous rebel Abáza Páshá, then governor of Haleb, and already noticed for the treacherous manner in which he killed his father-in-law, Várvár Páshá. He accepted the office; but not wishing to come to Constantinople, he excused himself by pleading the necessity of quelling some disturbances on the Persian frontier, whither he marched with a hundred thousand men. After repeated invitations, and having been presented with Aisha Sultáneh, the widow of Voinok Ahmed Páshá, as his wife, he at last, after a march of seven months, arrived at Scutari, but would not enter Constantinople. The kizlar ághá, and Sheikh-ul-Islám, then waited upon him at his palace at Scutari; and, presenting him with a sable pelisse and a dagger set with jewels, invited him in the name of the emperor to visit Constantinople, proposing at the same time to leave several páshás and Ulemá as hostages in his camp. To this he consented, and had an audience with the emperor; but the day after he was on the point of returning, and it was with great difficulty that he was prevailed upon to make a public entry into Constantinople at the head of his army of eighty thousand men. His first measure was to insist upon the necessity of sending the káïm-makám, Ahmed Páshá, to Ván, on the Persian frontier, on account of the disturbances in that quarter. The emperor remonstrated that it was not a proper province for so old and meritorious a vezír; but Ibshír replied, that it was a fine province of twenty-seven sanjaks and an annual revenue of a hundred thousand piastres. The diploma of the Páshá was therefore instantly made out and sent to Melek Ahmed by a chamberlain and ten chávushes, who pressed his immediate departure. Melek Ahmed, on ascertaining the object of their visit, raised the firmán, without kissing it, to his head, and presented three purses with a sable pelisse to the chamberlain, and fifty piastres to each of the chávushes. He however remained five days longer in making the necessary arrangements for his journey. On the fifth day, Ibshír complained to the emperor of Melek’s delay, and urged the emperor to put him to death for his disobedience. The day after, the emperor sent a chamberlain to call Melek, and on his appearing was asked why he delayed going to so desirable a province as Ván, which, according to the account of Ibshír, had an income of a hundred thousand piastres. Melek boldly declared that what Ibshír stated was false; that Ibshír had no means of knowing, having never been admitted into the citadel by the mutinous garrison, and that the revenue scarcely amounted to seven thousand piastres. The emperor immediately called for pen and ink, and with his own hand wrote a khatisheríf, by which the power of appointing all the governors from Scutari to Egypt and Baghdád, together with the title of governor general, was conferred upon Melek Ahmed. Besides that, five hundred purses of gold, one hundred strings of mules, as many camels, an imperial tent, and two sable pelisses were given to him; and the emperor addressing him said: “Proceed now, my Lálá, and, if it please God, I propose some day to visit that country.” At this Ibshír became pale as death, whilst Melek, after having offered up prayers for his Majesty’s prosperity, went out, and, escorted by the bostánjí-báshí, he and his retinue passed over to Scutari in one hundred and fifty boats. Here he remained a week in the palace of Kíá-Sultáneh, making preparations for his journey. After a march of one hundred and seventeen days he entered Ván; and on the same day a messenger, named Yeldrim (lightning), having travelled with the speed of lightning, arrived bringing the news of the murder of Ibshír at Constantinople.

Murád Páshá was made grand vezír a second time; but the troops not being satisfied with him, he was dismissed from office; and dying shortly after in the palace of Arnáúd Páshá, he was buried in the tomb which the latter had built for himself. It is related as a well known story that, that when Murád Páshá, heard that Arnáúd Páshá was building a tomb for himself, he said: “Please God! he shall not have the satisfaction of being buried in it, but I will bury a black hog in it.” The event was, that he himself was buried in it.

Silihdár Soleïmán Páshá was appointed governor of Rumeïlí, after having been for some time sword-bearer to the emperor. He was born at Malátieh and educated in the imperial harem, and was an amiable and worthy vezír. He was dismissed on some slight pretext, and was succeeded by Zúrnázen Mustafá Páshá, an Albanian by birth, and educated in the imperial harem. He was defterdár during the vezírat of Melek Ahmed Páshá, but was degraded on account of his great avarice, and filled several inferior offices. The seals were conferred upon him merely to tantalize him, for he had to return them one hour after he received them: thus he had the pleasure of enjoying only a faint shadow of the dignity of grand vezír. The seals were then sent by the khásekí, Sipáhí Mohammed, to Delí Husain, who was engaged in the siege of Candia. But the khásekí, having been delayed by contrary winds on his passage from Menkesheh to Candia, was overtaken by another messenger, who brought back the seals. They were then sent to Síávush, the governor of Ouzí (Oczakov), who became grand vezír a second time. At this time Melek Ahmed Páshá, having been recalled from the government of Ván, was delayed at Erzerúm, by the winter, on his return to Constantinople. Here he received the news of the death of the vezír Síávush, and of Defterdár Zádeh, who was strangled under the false accusation of having been concerned in the death of Síávush. Boiní Egrí Mohammed Páshá was next nominated grand vezír, and in his absence his duties were performed by Haider Aghá-Zádeh, as káïm-makám. Boiní Egrí, however, immediately sent to Melek Ahmed, inviting him to return to Constantinople, whilst Haider Aghá-Zádeh was appointed governor of Oczakov. On the very day that Melek Ahmed took his seat amongst the vezírs of the Cupola, Haider, who was setting out for Silivria from Silistria, was murdered, and his province was conferred upon Melek Ahmed Páshá. Boiní Egrí Páshá having through his avarice lost his office, Kopreïlí Válí Mohammed Páshá was appointed his successor. This man being invested with absolute power, and being ambitious to bring glory to the Ottoman power, killed in Anatolia four hundred thousand rebels, seventeen vezírs, forty-one beglerbegs, seventy sanják begs, three mollahs, and a moghrebín sheikh. He proportioned the expenditure of the empire to its revenues, which he considerably enlarged by several conquests. The astrologers and cabalists call this Kopreïlí _Sáhib Kharúj_, _i.e._ Expenditor. He is buried in the mausoleum, near the poultry-market (Táúk-bázár). He was an Albanian by birth, but most zealous and active in the cause of the true faith. He was educated in the imperial harem, and when Khosrau Páshá left it with the rank of Aghá of the Janissaries, Kopreïlí was promoted to the office of Khazíneh-dár. After him his son, Fázil Ahmed Páshá, was named grand vezír. He was not of a blood-thirsty disposition like his father, but shewed himself a virtuous, upright, prudent, and honourable governor. He was born in the village of Koprí in the province of Sivás, and at first devoted himself to the study of the law, but was afterwards appointed governor of Erzerúm, then káïm-makám, and lastly grand vezír. He was the first instance of a son’s holding the seals in succession from the father. Of the castles which he reduced, may be mentioned those of Kamenick and Candia. He died between Adrianople and Rodosto, on the _chiftlik_ (estate) of Kara Bovir, and was buried beside his father.

His successor was Kara Mustafá Páshá, who was also educated in the harem of the Kopreïlís, and at different periods held the offices of chief master of the horse, governor of Silistria, kapúdán páshá, káïm-makám, and lastly, grand vezír. He was the son of a Sipáhí of Merzífún, and was a most excellent and prudent minister.

_Vezírs of Provinces in the time of Sultán Mohammed IV._

During the rebellion in which Sultán Mohammed was raised to the throne, when the Janissaries were beaten by the Sipáhís, and loads of dead bodies were thrown into the sea, when Haider-Aghá-Zádeh, unable to make Seraglio-point, lost a great number of his gallies, on that same day, Murtezá Páshá was appointed governor of Damascus; Melek Ahmed Páshá was transferred from Díárbeker to Baghdád; Zilelí-Chávush-Zádeh Mohammed Páshá made governor of Jerusalem; Emír Páshá, governor of Egypt; Noghái Oghlí, governor of Haleb (Aleppo); Hamálí Arnáúd Mohammed Páshá, of Tripoli; and Afrásíáb Oghlí, of Basra.

_Prince of Sultán Mohammed IV._

The Prince Mustafá was born in the year 1071 (A.D. 1660).

_Monuments of Sultán Mohammed IV._

He built a mosque at Cairo, on the spot called Ibráhím Páshá Kadam-áltí. Over the gate there is a chronograph by Zekí Chelebí, in the Talík hand. He also built the koshks of Jámlíjeh, Kara Aghach, Ak-bikár, and the Adálet, which was rebuilt after the fire in the imperial palace; all in the year 1071 (1660).

_Victories and Conquests, at which Sultán Mohammed IV. was present in person._

The first was the execution of the rebels in the At-maidán. In the same month the rebel Haider Oghlí was defeated in Anatolia, and carried prisoner to Constantinople by the Aghá of the Turcomans, Kara Abáza. The vezír, Khoajeh Mevleví, seeing that his thigh-bone was broken by a musket-ball, and that there was no hope of his recovery, ordered him to be executed immediately. He was therefore hanged at the gate called Parmak-kapú, where his body remained three days, and was afterwards thrown into the sea. In the same year, Emír Páshá defeated twenty thousand rebellious Arabs off Algiers; and Gúrjí Ibní and Katerjí-oghlí were defeated by the vezír, Kara Mustafá Páshá. The first of these, at the head of eighty thousand men, had ravaged Anatolia as far as Scutari, and had taken up his position on the heights opposite Constantinople, called Bolghúrlí Jámlíjeh. He demanded seventy heads, and the government of Haleb (Aleppo). Defterdár-zádeh Mohammed Páshá led out his troops against him, and a battle was fought at Ziljámlíjeh. Murád Páshá arriving in person to the aid of the imperial troops; the rebels were completely routed.

_Defeat of the Druses in Syria by Murtezá Páshá._

Yúváshjí Mohammed Aghá and Na’lband Alí Aghá, the commanders of Safet, owed one thousand purses which were to be paid by the Druses; but as the payment was delayed, Murtezá Páshá took the field against them with seventy banners. A great battle took place at Nákúra, where the Druses were beaten; and instead of one thousand purses, were now obliged to pay three thousand. I, the humble writer, had this year (1059) made the pilgrimage to Mecca by way of Egypt, and on my return to Syria was present at this battle, which I commemorated by a chronograph.

_Conquest of Selina and Retimo in Candia._

In the same year Dashnik and Hainafí, two rebels who were offended with Melek Ahmed Páshá because they had not received the appointment of Aghás of the Turcomans, assembled a number of troops at Scutari, ravaged Anatolia, pillaged a caravan, and pitched their camp between Lefkeh and Súgúd. Melek Páshá, with the troops of some other Páshás, attacked them in this place, reduced their strength, and chased the greater part of them into the mountains. Dashnik Emerza and Hainafi Khalífeh were made prisoners, and on their way to Constantinople, were met at Jisrí (or Koprí) by the Bostánjí Báshí, who carried an imperial _firmán_ for their execution. They were accordingly beheaded, and their heads were thrown down before the imperial gate. By the divine permission a stream of light rested that night on the head of Hainafí Khalífeh, which was witnessed by several hundreds of persons. Seventeen days after this, a rebellion broke out, by which Ahmed Páshá was obliged to resign the seals and retire to the government of Ouzí (Oczakov).

_Defeat of the Infidel Fleet by Kapudán Chávush Zádeh._

This Kapudán brought to Constantinople three gallies and a gallion, which he had taken from the fleet of the despicable infidels.

_Attack on the Cossacks, by Mohammed Gheráï Khán, at Oczakov._

The result of this expedition by this brave Tátár, was the capture of one hundred and fifty thousand prisoners. In the same year, Kalghá Sultán made an inroad upon Moldavia, penetrating as far as Yassy, Fokshan, and Hotín, and carrying off one hundred and fifty thousand prisoners, and one hundred thousand head of cattle of various kinds. The Cossacks were also defeated near Varna by Melek Ahmed Páshá, who, attacking their boats which had been left upon the shore, took twenty of them, but the rest escaped. Of the men who were on shore, seven hundred were made prisoners and a thousand killed. This took place in the year 1064 (1650). The castle Gúnieh, on the mouth of the river Júrúgh on the Black Sea, was delivered by Ketánjí-zádeh Mohammed Páshá in the year 1065. In the same year the Khán of Betlís, Abdál Khán, was subdued by Melek Ahmed Páshá, who also, in the following year, delivered the castle of Oczakov from the Cossacks. The castle of Tenedos was delivered from the Venetians by Kopreïlí Mohammed Páshá.

_Defeat of Rakoczy._

Rakoczy, who had been named King of Poland by the grand vezír Boyúní, Egrí, but was not acknowledged as such by his successor Kopreïlí, assembled two hundred thousand men, in order to support his claim against the Poles, who had sent an envoy to request the assistance of the Ottoman arms. In consequence of this application, the Tátár Khán, Melek Mohammed Gheráï, and Melek Ahmed Páshá, the governor of Oczakov, took the field against Rakoczy, who was defeated, and fled with three hundred horsemen to the mountains of Szeklers in Transylvania. In the engagement, forty thousand infidels were slain, and seventeen princes, with Rakoczy’s minister, taken prisoners, after which, the armies of the Tátár Khán, and Melek Ahmed Páshá, marched victoriously to Ak-kermán. I, the humble Evliyá, who composed a chronograph for this occasion, received seventeen prisoners, twenty horses, ten sable pelisses, a pair of silver stirrups, and other silver articles, as my share of the booty. The Hungarians seeing the defeat of Rakoczy, assembled an immense army composed of various nations, with which they attacked Temisvar, Lippa, Cianad, Gulia, and Fecsat. Complaints from these places having reached the Porte, the governor of Buda, Kana’án Páshá, received orders to march against the invading enemy. On the banks of the Maros, between Lippa and Arád, the Páshá encountered eighty thousand of the hostile army and was routed, but saved himself and some thousands of his cavalry by a flight to Slankament. In this defeat the Ottoman army lost no less than eleven thousand men. Kana’án Páshá was in consequence removed from Buda, and the government was given to Seidí Ahmed Páshá of Bosnia; whilst the government of Bosnia was conferred upon Melek Ahmed Páshá. In the same year, Seidí Ahmed Páshá, with twelve thousand brave horsemen, entered the province of Transylvania by Demir-kapú (the Iron Gate), gave battle to the detested Rakoczy’s army, who defended the castle of Koljovar, and defeated them, with the assistance of Husain Páshá, the brother of the governor of Temisvar, Síávush Páshá. The white bodies of the infidels were strewed upon the white snow; and the carriages, cannon, and tents were sent to Constantinople; where, however, no thanks were voted to Seidí Páshá for the victory, nor was even a “well done” said on the occasion, although it was a victory not less brilliant than that of Erla by Mohammed III.; for Seidí Páshá had no more than eleven thousand men opposed to a hundred and sixty thousand infidels, now inhabitants of hell. The vile Rakoczy escaped to the castle of Koljovar, where he began to collect a new army.

The emperor having heard of the depredations committed by the infidels in Bosnia, appointed Melek Ahmed to the command of an army against Zara. The Páshá assembled his troops under the walls of this fortress, but not being able to reduce it, he plundered the neighbouring country, attacked the castle of Rinjisi, which he took after a storm of seven hours, and carried off the inhabitants.

In the same year Rakoczy having refused to pay the tribute due by Transylvania, and having encamped with two hundred thousand men under Koljovar, was attacked a second time by Seidí Páshá with forty thousand chosen troops of Buda, Erla, Temisvar, and Kanisa. Rakoczy was beaten, wounded, and obliged to fly to Kalova, where he expired, calling out, “Receive me, O Jesus!” Jesus however would not receive him, but he was seized by the angel Azraïl. Seidí Páshá carried an immense booty, with several thousand heads to Constantinople; but even by this signal exploit he could not gain the emperor’s favour.