The First of the twelve new articles annexed to the treaty of Sidova, bound both parties to maintain the peace for the period stipulated upon in that treaty. Second. The various articles mentioned in the treaty of Sidova were to remain in full force. Third. The frontier lines, as well as the grounds of complaint between the villages situate on these frontiers, were to be examined and settled. Further: The discontent manifested by one hundred and fifty villages attached to Osterghún were also, according to this article, to be examined. It was agreed to by both sides, that sixty villages in the district of Osterghún should be subjected to the Ottoman government, and four months were allowed for the settling of this point. Fourth. The prisoners taken by either party during the negotiations which were carried on at Sidova were to be set at liberty. A list of all the fortresses which Ahmed Ketkhodá had erected since the commencement of the peace was ordered to be given in; and all the palankas erected by both parties, contrary to the articles of the peace, were to be examined within the first four months, and erased. Sixth. Neither of the contracting parties was to harbour or encourage false or hypocritical persons, but to inform against them. Seventh. The churches belonging to the Christians within the Turkish dominions were to be repaired; and the gospels were to be read according to custom. Eighth. The uninhabited portions of land on the frontiers were declared to be free for the use of the peasantry of the province to which such portions belonged, and by this article they were allowed to settle on them without hindrance. Ninth. Traders belonging to either country were to be allowed to pass and repass from the one to the other, provided such traders were furnished with proper passports from their respective authorities. Into whatever district or province they should enter or pass through, they were, by this article, obliged to show their passes; and the commander of that place or district, and the head of the excise, were either to affix their seals to them, or endorse them, but without any fee or reward. It was further provided by this article, that if the roads by which such traders travelled were unsafe, they were to be furnished with a proper escort; but they were to pay all dues and imposts punctually. Tenth. Merchant-vessels coming to Turkey from any of the dominions of the Roman emperor (i. e. the emperor of Austria) or from Austria with merchandize, were not to be allowed to do so unless they came under the imperial flag, and were furnished with sufficient documents besides. If, in opposition to the spirit of this article, any should venture to do so, the agents and consuls of its respective governments were to be authorized to seize him. Traders coming in ships to Turkey from any of the above-mentioned dominions, or from Spain, or from any other nation carrying the imperial flag, were in like manner to be allowed to do so on paying the Ottoman government three per cent., and two per cent. to their respective consuls, on all such wares and merchandize as they might buy or sell. The consuls or agents were not only to settle all matters for such traders, but were also to be at full liberty to arrest any one of them who might have neglected paying into the government treasury his lawful dues. If any dispute should happen to arise between merchants about money, it was provided by this article, that the cazí of the place or city where such dispute had taken place should have power to decide the question; but with this proviso, that the sum about which the dispute arose was not more than four thousand pieces of money: if above this sum, the litigants were to be obliged to refer the matter in dispute to the military judge of Constantinople. Eleventh. After this treaty was again settled and signed, all letters, messengers, or other persons coming or going from or to either country belonging to the contracting powers, were to be respected by the authorities on the frontiers; and if the roads were unsafe or dangerous, a sufficient escort was to be provided. Twelfth. It was decreed by this article, that from this time no voivodas or servants of governors were to enter any of the frontier villages; but the inhabitants themselves were, nevertheless, to pay or deliver, according to law, whatever amount of dues they might owe.
Death of the reverend Muftí.—His brother, Isaád Effendí, succeeds him.
The venerable and amiable Muftí Effendí, who was tutor to Sultán Murád Khán, was born on the 28th of Shabán 975, when his father was rector of the academy of Yelderím Khán, in Brúsa; and who, along with a private tutor, exercised the greatest assiduity in training and enriching the young mind of his son, who by their instructions acquired the most perfect education. In 994, he was honoured with the rectorship of the academy of Esmíkhán. In three years afterwards he was introduced at court, and in two years more he made a transition from the Selímiya to the Soleimáníyeh. In 1000, he was dignified with the cazíship of Mecca. Not being satisfied with this situation he returned to Constantinople, and was made cazí of that city in 1004. In the same year he was transferred to the jurisdiction of Anatolia. He was present at the taking of Agria, but was afterwards suspended from office for the space of two years. In 1007 he was raised to the jurisdiction of Romeili. In 1010 he succeeded to the muftiship in room of Siná Effendí. In the following year he was deposed, but in 1017 he again succeeded Siná Effendí in the same high office which he had held four times. Seven years afterwards he received a gratuity of six thousand pieces of silver, and was incorporated with the Historiographers. On the 5th of Jemadi II. of this year, he departed into the world of spirits, having died of the plague. He was buried in the tomb of his fathers. His brother, Isaád Effendí, succeeded him in the high priesthood.
EVENTS of the Year 1024, H.
The grand vezír and commander-in-chief march to Reván
We lately left the grand vezír and commander-in-chief, Mohammed Páshá, at Aleppo; we now return to record his operations against the Persians. On the arrival of spring the various troops began to move from their respective cantonments, and in the beginning of Rabia II. the general’s pavilion was erected in the Kokmaidan. On the 7th of the month such of the army as could be collected in so short a time marched off for Reván. After crossing the meadows of Koksú and arriving at the plains of Aksheher, the commanding-general was joined by Dávud Páshá beglerbeg of Romeili, with his provincial troops, having also been entrusted with funds for the grand army. About the beginning of Jemadi II. the army reached Erzerúm; from the fortress of which the commanding-general took seven pieces of ordnance. After distributing provisions, &c. among the household troops, the royal camp was joined by the troops of Anatolia, Caramania, and Sivás. Firmáns were also sent to the beglerbeg of Diárbeker, Diláver Páshá, and Tekelí Mohammed Páshá, beglerbeg of Wán, to march with their respective troops towards Reván. The válí of Baghdád, Mustafa Páshá, also collected a number of Mosul and Seyed Khán troops, and sent forward two divisions of these foreigners under the command of proper officers. Towards the end of the month the grand army reached Kars, which had formerly been destroyed by the Persians, but was now rebuilt, and was furnished with a garrison and cannon. About the middle of Jemadi II. the grand army reached the plains of Reván. During the season preparations for opening trenches were attended to, and thus the siege of Reván was commenced. Amir Gunah Khán had taken good care to have the fortress not only strongly fortified, but also well filled with troops and ammunition. The sháh himself, with the army under his own command, was at Nakhcheván. The Moslem army in the meantime surrounded Reván with field-pieces, and for the space of twenty days continued battering its walls; but without visible advantage. Finding their efforts in this way to be vain, they began to collect earth, which during the night-season they formed into mounds for their artillery, in order to employ this apparatus more effectively. After accomplishing this vast labour, they succeeded in effecting some breaches, and then commenced a general assault; but were repulsed with immense loss. The ághá of the janissaries, Mesli Aghá, perished; and Turkijeh Bilmaz was wounded: the troops who had been engaged in the assault were withdrawn. It is said, however, that one night, when Tekelí Mohammed Páshá, governor of Wán, was on guard, some thousands of red-heads, under the guidance of four kháns, issued forth and entered into a narrow pass, with the view of lying in ambush. Tekelí, however, observed them, immediately marched against them, and defeated them most completely. One thousand heads and five hundred living infidels were conveyed to the Moslem camp, as trophies of Tekelí’s victory. The fame of his bravery was spread abroad.
The sháh, in order to make a display of his own might, was in the habit of causing fires to be kindled on the tops of the surrounding hills, but the Moslems continued to carry on the siege with all the vigour they were able, but were opposed, inch by inch, by the red-heads, who frequently rushed out even as far as the trenches, and fought most furiously. At length, however, the Moslems succeeded in beating down a considerable portion of their walls and battlements. This so alarmed the besieged, that they, in order to prevent another general assault, which they saw would be fatal to them, proposed an armistice for four days. “We will consult our sháh,” said they, “and afterwards deliver up the place to you.” Their request was agreed to, and for four days not a gun was fired on either side. But the execrable race completely deceived the commanding-general.
Hasan Beg Zádeh says in his history that the chief-cannoneer had directed the mouth of a cannon against the palace of Amir Gunah Khán, but instead of hitting it, it struck the house of the avaricious sháh’s ignorant chancellor, and shattered it to pieces. He tried a second time, but failed.
It is certain that after the Moslems had succeeded in beating down the wall they ought to have pursued their advantages, and have pushed into the city; but it would appear they altogether neglected this. During the armistice they repaired the breaches which had been made, and again commenced hostilities. Forty days were spent in the siege of Reván, and nothing more was effected than what we have related. The Moslems, indeed, tried the springing of mines, but to no purpose; and at last the whole of their ammunition was expended: winter was drawing on; and, in short, they were obliged to withdraw their artillery from Reván. The loss sustained by the Moslems on this occasion obliged them to make a disadvantageous peace, in which it was agreed to take one-half of the silk and presents which had been stipulated in the treaty that was made when Nesúh Páshá was grand vezír. The whole of the provisions, &c. which had been sent forward for the use of the troops at Reván would have proved insufficient, and at any rate have been lost.