History of Shahrizor from the Ardalan Rule to Ottoman Rule (1329- 1554 AC)

Abstract

Abstract

Shahrizor only came to be under actual Ottoman rule in 1554. Prior to that, it was part of the principality of the Ardalan, established by Baba Ardalan who managed to annex it to his possessions when he created his principality in 1329, and built there the castle of Zilim. Before the Safavid and Ottomans came to the area at the onset of the sixteenth century, the Ardalans strengthened their influence in Shahrizor making themselves the real rulers thereof. Following the death of Baba Ardalan, Shahrizor continued to be ruled by his sons and grandsons, but something happened to its administration at the time of the Ardalanian ruler Ma’moon bin Monthir bin Bablo, who  divided his principality while alive among his three sons: Bika Beg, Sohrab Beg and Mohammed Beg. Shahrizor went to Bika Beg who ruled it independently and whose era was characterized by calmness and peacefulness. When Ismael Safavid emerged in Iran in 1501, the three princes pledged allegiance to him. However, when Sultan Sulaiman Al-Qanoni entered Shahrizor in 1534 on his way to overtake Baghdad, Bika Beg visited and paid allegiance to him. Following the death of Bika Beg and the transfer of Shahrizor rule to his son Najla Ma’moon Beg, the latter disclaimed Ottoman Authority and shortly thereafter declared allegiance to the Safavid state. Therefore, Sultan Sulaiman Al-Qanoni launched a military campaign lead by Ameer Badiyan to reclaim Shahrizor, raiding the latter in 1537 when Ma’moon Beg was arrested and takem on foot to Istanbul. In the meanwhile, Sohrab bik, uncle of Ma’moon Bik, rose with support from the Safavid Shah Tahmasib to annex Shahrizor  and unify all lands of Ardalan under his rule. When the news reached the Ottoman Sultan, he sent many Ottoman campaigns to Shahrizor until he finally restored Ottoman rule there in 1554 when Sohrab  Bik surrendered to the invading army without any mentionable resistance.