Davud Pasha

Davud Pasha (14??-1498) also known as Da'ud Pasha was an Albanian general and Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire from 1482 to 1497 during the reign of Bayezid II.

Early life

Davud Pasha was a Christian Albanian, who during his childhood was conscripted through the devshirme system in the ranks of the Ottoman army, where he converted to Islam.^[1][2]

Military campaigns

In 1473 as Beylerbey of the Anatolian Eyalet he was one of the commanders of the Ottoman army in the decisive victory against Ak Koyunlu in the Battle of Otlukbeli.^[3] In 1478 he was given control of the troops marching against Shkodër, Albania by Sultan Mehmed II, who marched against Krujë. Davud Pasha managed to capture the city, which was the last stronghold of the League of Lezhë, thus ending the Ottoman-Albanian Wars.^[2] In 1479 he became governor (sanjakbey) of the sanjak of Bosnia and as the commander of large force of akıncılar cavalry carried out extensive attacks and raids against the Kingdom of Hungary.^[4]

As a Grand Vizier he led the Ottoman army in the 1487 campaign of the Ottoman-Mamluk War. Initially Davud Pasha planned an all-out offensive expedition against the Mamluks, but his plan was cancelled by Bayezid II, who assigned him to attack the Turgutlu and Varsak tribes. When Davud Pasha reached the Turgut and Varsak territories the Varsak leaders including the chief of the tribe submitted to him and swore allegiance to the Ottoman Empire.^[3]

Public works

Davud Pasha's public works are mainly found in the Forum Arcadii area of modern Istanbul. In that area he built a mosque with 108 shops around it, a madrasah, a school, a hospice, a soup kitchen for the poor population and a public fountain dating to 1485.^[5][6] The whole neighborhood was consequently named after him as the Davutpasa neighborhood, part of the Fatih district in modern times. In the Yenikapı neighborhood he built a palace, a landing stage, eleven shops and public baths. His other public works include a bedestan in Bitola and shops in Skopje and Bursa.^[5] Davud Pasha's baths in modern Skopje are the largest baths in the Balkans; in modern times they are used as an art gallery.^[7]

References

1. ^ Shaw, Stanford J. (1976-10-29). History of the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey. Cambridge University Press. p. 72. ISBN 9780521291637. http://books.google.com/books?id=E9-YfgVZDBkC&pg=PA72. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Babinger, Franz; Manheim, Ralph; Hickman, William C. (1992). Mehmed the Conqueror and His Time. Princeton University Press. p. 362. ISBN 9780691010786. http://books.google.com/books?id=PPxC6rO7vvsC&pg=PA362. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Har-El, Shai (1995). Struggle for domination in the Middle East: the Ottoman-Mamluk War, 1485-91. BRILL. p. 149. ISBN 9789004101807. http://books.google.com/books?id=KUjl5hWOYVMC&pg=PA149. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
4. ^ Setton, Kenneth M.; Hazard, Harry W.; Zacour, Norman P. (1990-06-15). A History of the Crusades: The Impact of the Crusades on Europe. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 329. ISBN 9780299107444. http://books.google.com/books?id=TKaPrQPFIAMC&pg=PA329. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Singh, Nagendra Kr (2002-09-01). International encyclopaedia of Islamic dynasties. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD.. p. 366. ISBN 9788126104031. http://books.google.com/books?id=le9mFr-Iw0wC&pg=PA366. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
6. ^ Behar, Cem (2003). A neighborhood in Ottoman Istanbul: fruit vendors and civil servants in the Kasap İlyas Mahalle. SUNY Press. p. 32. ISBN 9780791456828. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZbMGF1G_YzIC&pg=PA32. Retrieved 7 October 2010. 
7. ^ Evans, Thammy (2010-01-01). Macedonia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 117. ISBN 9781841622972. http://books.google.com/books?id=YVPshBLnW_cC&pg=PA117. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 

See also

• List of Ottoman Grand Viziers

Preceded by İshak Pasha

Grand Vizier 1482–1497

Succeeded by Hersekli Ahmet Pasha

Persondata
Name	Pasha, Davud
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	1498
Place of death