THE EXPEDITION TO KAFA AND AZAK.
The territory of Kafa, lying on the shores of the Black Sea, having for many ages been in the possession of the Genoese, the Turkish and Tartar princes, though united by their proximity to each other, had never, as yet, on account of its strong fortifications, been able to reduce it. In 880 (A. D. 1475), the victorious sultan Mohammed Khan, having resolved upon its subjugation, gave orders to Keduk Ahmed Pasha to prepare the fleet. The pasha immediately collected a number of galleys, triremes, &c., amounting in all to three hundred vessels, and having prepared his Janissaries and Azabs,[6] kissed his hand, and according to custom bowed to the princes and nobles; after which he left the divan, went down to the harbour and embarked. With favourable winds he arrived in a short time on the shores of Kafa, where he landed and laid siege to the castle.[7] The Christians not daring to stand against the arms of the Faithful, delivered up the castle with stipulations, and left it. The castle being taken, they proceeded to subjugate its dependencies; and Azak, which is the boundary of the Sakalaba kingdoms,[8] being also reduced, by proper management they subjugated all the disaffected. The people of Kafa had their rights restored to them, and the place became subject to the Ottoman power. The date of this victory was called A Favour.[9]