Ali-paša Rizvanbegovic
Encyclopedia
Ali Rizvanbegović was the Herzegovinian
Muslim Bosniak Ottoman
captain (administrator) of Stolac
from 1813 to 1833 and the semi-independent ruler (vizier
) of Herzegovina
from 1833 to 1851.
in 1783. In 1813, being thirty years old, he was appointed as the Captain (administrator) of his native city, a position he would hold until 1833 and which would turn out to have a crucial importance.
. He made Stolac a rallying point for the forces loyal to the Ottoman government - in conjunction with fellow loyalist Smail-aga Čengić, Captain of Gacko
, who acted similarly in his own place.
In the early phase of the uprising, Ali-paša gave refuge in Stolac to the Ottoman governor Namik-paša, who had fled after the rebels' capture of Travnik
. A rebel army set out from Sarajevo to attack Stolac, but this was put on hold when the rebels found that Namik-paša had left the city.
In the final months of 1831, however, the rebels launched an overall offensive against the loyalist captains, aimed at ending domestic opposition to the uprising and bringing the whole of Herzgovina under rebel rule. Rebel forces led by the captain of Livno
, Ibrahim-beg Fidrus, attacked and defeated Sulejman-beg, captain of Ljubuški
.
That victory placed most of Herzegovina in rebel hands, leaving Stolac isolated and under a rebel siege. Ali-paša Rizvanbegović conducted well the city's defense. In early March 1832 he received information that the Bosnian rebels' ranks were depleted due to the winter and broke the siege, counterattacking the rebels and dispersing their forces. At the time, a rebel force under the command of Mujaga Zlatar had been sent from Sarajevo with the intention of reinforcing the force besieging Stolac - but was recalled by the rebel leadership on March 16, 1832, after news arrived of an impending major Ottoman offensive.
With the Ottoman armies closing in on Sarajevo in a following months, Ali-paša Rizvanbegović advanced with his own forces, as did his fellow loyalist Smail-aga Čengić of Gacko
. Their armies arrived on June 4 at Stup
, a small locality on the road between Sarajevo and Ilidža
, where a long, intense battle had already been going on between the main Ottoman armies and the rebel army led by Gradaščević himself.
The Herzegovinian loylist troops broke through defenses Gradaščević had set up on his flank and joined the fighting. Overwhelmed by the unexpected attack from behind, the rebel army was forced to retreat into the city of Sarajevo itself, where their leaders decided that further military resistance would be futile. The imperial army entered Sarajevo on June 5 and Gradaščević went into exile in Austria.
Mahmud II
conferred on Ali-paša the title of Vizier
, as well as giving him the choice of which territory he wanted to rule. Ali-paša then asked the Sultan to separate Herzegovina
from Pashaluk of Bosnia, creating the new Pashaluk of Herzegovina and make him its Vizier, a with duly fulfilled by the Sultan. Given that Bosnia had just broken out in a mass uprising while a considerable part of Herzegovina remained loyal, the separation - and the rewarding of Herzegovina with a greater amount of autonomy - were an obvious Imperial policy.
However, though at the time Ali-paša hoped to make this position as Vizier of Herzegovina hereditary in his family, it would in fact only last for his own lifetime, being abolished at his death.
, announcing to the people:
Ali-paša further stated:
.
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
Muslim Bosniak Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
captain (administrator) of Stolac
Stolac
Stolac is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the southern part of Herzegovina. Administratively, it is part of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
from 1813 to 1833 and the semi-independent ruler (vizier
Vizier
A vizier or in Arabic script ; ; sometimes spelled vazir, vizir, vasir, wazir, vesir, or vezir) is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in a Muslim government....
) of Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
from 1833 to 1851.
Early Life
Ali-paša Rizvanbegović was born in the Begovina neighbourhood of StolacStolac
Stolac is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the southern part of Herzegovina. Administratively, it is part of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
in 1783. In 1813, being thirty years old, he was appointed as the Captain (administrator) of his native city, a position he would hold until 1833 and which would turn out to have a crucial importance.
Opposition to the Bosnian Uprising
Ali-paša Rizvanbegović was strongly opposed to the 1831 Bosnian uprising, led by Husein GradaščevićHusein Gradašcevic
Husein-kapetan Gradaščević was a Bosnian Muslim general who fought for Bosnian autonomy in the Ottoman Empire. He is often referred to as "Zmaj od Bosne", meaning "Dragon of Bosnia"...
. He made Stolac a rallying point for the forces loyal to the Ottoman government - in conjunction with fellow loyalist Smail-aga Čengić, Captain of Gacko
Gacko
Gacko is a town and municipality in southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republika Srpska entity. It is situated in the Foča Region.-Geography:The town is in a short distance from Montenegro...
, who acted similarly in his own place.
In the early phase of the uprising, Ali-paša gave refuge in Stolac to the Ottoman governor Namik-paša, who had fled after the rebels' capture of Travnik
Travnik
Travnik is a city and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, 90 km west of Sarajevo. It is the capital of the Central Bosnia Canton, and is located in the Travnik Municipality. Travnik today has some 27,000 residents, with a metro population that is probably close to 70,000 people...
. A rebel army set out from Sarajevo to attack Stolac, but this was put on hold when the rebels found that Namik-paša had left the city.
In the final months of 1831, however, the rebels launched an overall offensive against the loyalist captains, aimed at ending domestic opposition to the uprising and bringing the whole of Herzgovina under rebel rule. Rebel forces led by the captain of Livno
Livno
Livno is a town in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Tomislavgrad, Glamoč, Bosansko Grahovo, Kupres and the Croatian border.- Position :...
, Ibrahim-beg Fidrus, attacked and defeated Sulejman-beg, captain of Ljubuški
Ljubuški
Ljubuški is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in thewestern part of Herzegovina.-1971:28.269 total* Croats - 26.198 * Muslims by nationality - 1.812 * Serbs - 118 * Yugoslavs - 49...
.
That victory placed most of Herzegovina in rebel hands, leaving Stolac isolated and under a rebel siege. Ali-paša Rizvanbegović conducted well the city's defense. In early March 1832 he received information that the Bosnian rebels' ranks were depleted due to the winter and broke the siege, counterattacking the rebels and dispersing their forces. At the time, a rebel force under the command of Mujaga Zlatar had been sent from Sarajevo with the intention of reinforcing the force besieging Stolac - but was recalled by the rebel leadership on March 16, 1832, after news arrived of an impending major Ottoman offensive.
With the Ottoman armies closing in on Sarajevo in a following months, Ali-paša Rizvanbegović advanced with his own forces, as did his fellow loyalist Smail-aga Čengić of Gacko
Gacko
Gacko is a town and municipality in southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republika Srpska entity. It is situated in the Foča Region.-Geography:The town is in a short distance from Montenegro...
. Their armies arrived on June 4 at Stup
Stup
Stup is a village in the municipality of Sjenica, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 193 people.-References:...
, a small locality on the road between Sarajevo and Ilidža
Ilidža
Ilidža is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a metro population of 157,654, making it the 7th largest city in the country. Ilidža is the chief suburb of Sarajevo. It is famous for the natural beauty of its surroundings and historical tradition dating back to...
, where a long, intense battle had already been going on between the main Ottoman armies and the rebel army led by Gradaščević himself.
The Herzegovinian loylist troops broke through defenses Gradaščević had set up on his flank and joined the fighting. Overwhelmed by the unexpected attack from behind, the rebel army was forced to retreat into the city of Sarajevo itself, where their leaders decided that further military resistance would be futile. The imperial army entered Sarajevo on June 5 and Gradaščević went into exile in Austria.
Appointment as Vizier of Herzegovina
His loyalty to the Ottoman government in the moment of crisis, and his considerable military success in that cause, clearly entitled Ali-paša Rizvanbegović to a suitable reward. In 1833 Ottoman SultanSultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Mahmud II
Mahmud II
Mahmud II was the 30th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1808 until his death in 1839. He was born in the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, the son of Sultan Abdulhamid I...
conferred on Ali-paša the title of Vizier
Vizier
A vizier or in Arabic script ; ; sometimes spelled vazir, vizir, vasir, wazir, vesir, or vezir) is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in a Muslim government....
, as well as giving him the choice of which territory he wanted to rule. Ali-paša then asked the Sultan to separate Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
from Pashaluk of Bosnia, creating the new Pashaluk of Herzegovina and make him its Vizier, a with duly fulfilled by the Sultan. Given that Bosnia had just broken out in a mass uprising while a considerable part of Herzegovina remained loyal, the separation - and the rewarding of Herzegovina with a greater amount of autonomy - were an obvious Imperial policy.
However, though at the time Ali-paša hoped to make this position as Vizier of Herzegovina hereditary in his family, it would in fact only last for his own lifetime, being abolished at his death.
Proclamation
In 1833, the new Vizier of Herzegovina came to MostarMostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
, announcing to the people:
"Our honest Emperor loves me and therefore made me a third near himself. He offered me to become a vizier of wherever I wanted, but I did not want to be a Vizier of anything but of Herzegovina, separated from the Pashaluk of Bosnia. These are the counties of Herzegovina: PrijepoljePrijepoljePrijepolje is a town and municipality in the Zlatibor District of Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the municipality of Prijepolje has a population of 36,713 people, while the town itself has a population of 13,068...
, PljevljaPljevljaPljevlja is a town and municipality located in the northern part of Montenegro. The city lies at an altitude of...
with KolašinKolašinKolašin , is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 .Kolašin is the centre of the municipality and unofficial centre of Morača region, named after Morača River....
and Šaranci with Drobnjak, ČajničeCajniceČajniče is a town and municipality in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-1971:11.602 total* Muslims - 6.065 * Serbs - 5.353 * Croats - 29 * Yugoslavs - 14 * others - 141...
, NevesinjeNevesinjeNevesinje is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in eastern Herzegovina between Mostar and Gacko. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity.-Geography:...
, NikšićNikšićNikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
, LjubinjeLjubinjeLjubinje is a town and municipality in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is situated in south-eastern part of Herzegovina region.-Demographics:...
-TrebinjeTrebinjeTrebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
, Stolac, PočiteljPočiteljPočitelj may refer to:*Počitelj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a village near Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina*Počitelj, Croatia, a hamlet near Gospić, Croatia...
, BlagajBlagajBlagaj is a village-town in the south-eastern region of the Mostar basin, in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It stands at the edge of Bišće plain and is one of the most valuable mixed urban and rural structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished from other similar...
, MostarMostarMostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
, Duvno and half of the county of KonjicKonjicKonjic is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in northern Herzegovina, around southwest of Sarajevo. It is a mountainous, heavily wooded area, and is above sea level. The municipality extends on both sides of the Neretva River. The town of Konjic, housed about a third...
which is on this side of NeretvaNeretvaNeretva is the largest river of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. It has been harnessed and controlled to a large extent by four HE power-plants with large dams and their storage lakes, but it is still recognized for its natural beauty, diversity of its landscape and visual...
. This was given to me, my children and my kin, and I have done this to prevent that some bad pasha rule over Herzegovina. I thought that it is better that I, as a native, should rule over Herzegovina, instead of some alien - nobody could be fiend to his own house. I will judge everybody by justice..."
Ali-paša further stated:
"From today on, nobody need any longer go to the Emperor in IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. Here in Mostar is your Istanbul, and here in Mostar is your Emperor."
Administration of Herzegovina 1833-1851
As Vizier of Herzgovina, Ali-paša made special efforts to promote agriculture.Death
While Ali-paša Rizvanbegović hoped to establish a long lasting hereditary Viziership, after his death in 1851 the Pashaluk of Herzegovina was abolished and its territory was merged with the Pashaluk of Bosnia, forming a new entity known as Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
.
Sources
- Dr. Lazar Tomanović, Petar Drugi Petrović - Njegoš kao vladalac, Novi Sad - Srbinje, 2004.
- Andric, Ivo. The Damned Yard and Other Short Stories. Belgrade: Dereta, 2007.
See also
- Alipasini Izvori
- Pashaluk of Herzegovina
- HerzegovinaHerzegovinaHerzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
- History of HerzegovinaHistory of HerzegovinaThe History of Herzegovina ranges from the first Slavic migrations to the region to the most recent Bosnian War.-Pre-Slavic history:See Illyrians...
- History of Bosnia and HerzegovinaHistory of Bosnia and Herzegovina-Pre-Slavic Period :Bosnia has been inhabited at least since Neolithic times. In the late Bronze Age, the Neolithic population was replaced by more warlike Indo-European tribes known as the Illyrians. Celtic migrations in the 4th and 3rd century BCE displaced many Illyrian tribes from their former...