Ottoman reign in Sarajevo

Ottoman Sarajevo

### Significance

Founding of Sarajevo, Baščaršija's greatest extent until 1697, the age of Gazi Husrev-beg.

The **Ottoman reign in Sarajevo** began in 1463 when the Ottomans have justified their victory during the conquest of Bosnia by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Though the first mosque was constructed in 1457 by Isa-beg Isaković, the founding of the city did not take place until 1463.

During this period, Baščaršija was created and mainly served for the purposes of trading and also residence. During the 16th century, Sarajevo's golden age under the Ottoman regime began with the construction of the Gazi Husrev-beg mosque which was completed in 1530. Along with the mosque, an entire waqf of a bezistan, library, madrassa, maktab and a hammam was named after Gazi Husrev-beg.

Sarajevo suffered in a major plunder fire in 1697 committed by Prince Eugen of Savoy in October. Most of the town was destroyed in the fire with only mosques and a small part of Baščaršija still in shape. During the decline of the Ottoman Empire, Sarajevo's population also had gradually declined following several fires and a plague outbreak in the 18th century.

While Sarajevo was inhabited by mostly Muslims, the town also allowed other religions to live such as the Sephardic Jews which found their place in 1565, as well as Orthodox and Catholic Christians. However, these minor religions found themselves limited to some certain behavior and attire as Islam provided more advantage back then.

## Timeline

### **Founding of Sarajevo**

Historians have generally accepted Isa-beg Isaković as the founder of Sarajevo. According to sources, the first building in Sarajevo was the Emperor's Mosque which was originally made out of wood until it was reconstructed out of stone in 1566. The first houses marked the founding of Sarajevo around 1462 which also marked the beginning of Baščaršija. Sarajevo was firstly called a *kasaba* until in the early 16th century when it was recognized as a city.

### **The golden age of Sarajevo**

The 16th century was considered the golden age of Sarajevo with the construction of a waqf ordered by the governor of Bosnia Gazi Husrev-beg. His legacy has been implemented in four structures: a mosque, a library, a madrassa and a bezistan. The Gazi Husrev-beg mosque is the largest mosque constructed from the Ottoman reign in Sarajevo with it's minaret reaching the height of 47 meters. The mosque was built by a Persian builder Acem Esir Ali "Alaüddin" in 1530. The mosque also has a *Türbe* in which Gazi Husrev-beg is located after his buried corpse was carried away from Montenegro, the place of his death.

### **The decline and the fire**

Sarajevo didn't have any fortification until the 18th century which made it vulnerable to the Austrian army under the command of Prince Eugen of Savoy. After the summer offensive in 1697, he arrived at Sarajevo and plundered the city on the night of October 23rd, 1697. Most of Baščaršija was burnt down with mosques also catching damage from the flames. A anonymous writer said that the Austrians have inflicted civil violence during the plunder of the city. The number of people declined and the city didn't return to it's pre-fire population until in the early 20th century under the Austro-Hungarian rule.

The impact of the fire lead to the city's capital status being transferred to Travnik in 1699 where it remained until 1850. As a response to the fire, the Sarajevans constructing walls, towers and gates starting in 1729. Due to the unfortunate decline of the Ottoman economy, taxes were raised as well as traditional aspects have been also removed generally upsetting the population. In 1832, a battle was held near Sarajevo in modern-day Stup where Husein Gradaščević was defeated and went to Austria in exile.

### **The Austro-Hungarian campaign**

***More on: Battle of Sarajevo (1878)***

Following the revision of San Stefano treaty in Berlin from June 13th, to July 13th, 1878, Austria-Hungary under the 25th article was given rights to occupy Bosnia & Herzegovina from the Ottomans. The Austro-Hungarian campaign which began on July 29th, reached Sarajevo on August 19th, 1878. The early morning hours from 5 am were marked with shelling and later on, clashes with the inhabitants. Sarajevo was captured at 5 PM after the last remnants were conquered marking the beginning of the Austro-Hungarian regime in the city.

## References

1. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (pages 17-19)
2. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 15)
3. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 21)
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (Page 17)
5. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 13)
6. ↑ https://www.scribd.com/doc/73667127/Nihad-%C4%8Cengi%C4%87-Begova-d%C5%BEamija-kao-djelo-umjetnosti
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 24)
8. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 25)
9. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 26)
10. ↑ https://books.google.ba/books?id=ACvJHam2\_-oC&printsec=frontcover&hl=hr&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (page 29)