Pashalik of Berat

Pashalik of Berat Pashallëku Beratit
1774–1809
The Albanian pashaliks in 1790-1795. The Pashalik of Berat is colored in dark green.
Status	Autonomouspashalikof theOttoman Empire
Capital	Berat
Common languages	Albanian,Ottoman Turkish
Religion	Sunni Islam,Eastern Orthodoxy
Government	Pashalik
Pasha
• 1774–1787	Ahmet Kurt Pasha
• 1787–1809	Ibrahim Pasha of Berat
Historical era	Early modern
• Established	1774
• Disestablished	1809
Preceded by Succeeded by Ottoman Empire Pashalik of Janina
Today part of	Albania

ThePashalik of Beratwas apashalikcreated in modern-day centralAlbaniabyAhmet Kurt Pashain 1774 and dissolved after Ahmet's ally,Ibrahim Pasha of Beratwas defeated byAli Pashain 1809, thus incorporating the pashalik, with thePashalik of Janina.This pashalik was one of the three pashaliks created byAlbaniansin the period ofAlbanian Pashaliks.

Creation and rule of Ahmet Pasha

The Pashalik of Berat was created afterAhmet Kurt Pashamanaged to complot with theSublime PorteagainstMehmed Pasha Bushatiin 1774. For his service, thesultangave him territories in centralAlbania.He managed to grow hispashalikuntil his death in 1787, incorporating territories of all central Albania, bordering to the north with thePashalik of Scutariand to the south with thePashalik of Janina. Ahmet Kurt Pashawas the grandfather of Ali Pasha, and father of Ali's mother, Hanka.

The sanjakbey ofAvlonawas also the Pasha of Berat until 1809.

Conquest by Ali Pasha

After the death ofAhmet Kurt Pasha,the territory of the pashalik was ruled by a close ally of him,Ibrahim Pasha of Berat. As this territory belonged to the Middle Albania,Ibrahim Pashawas roused at this encroachment. This made Ali Pasha start a war with the Pashalik of Berat. After some fruitless negotiation,Ibrahim Pashasent a body of troops under the command of his brotherSephir,bey ofAvlona.Against these, Ali summoned thearmatolesofThessaly;and after villages had been burnt, peasants robbed and hanged, and flocks carried off on both sides, peace was made. Ibrahim gave his daughter in marriage toMukhtar,the eldest son of Ali, and the disputed territory as her dower. As Sephir bey had displayed qualities which might prove formidable hereafter, Ali contrived to have him poisoned by a physician; and, after his usual fashion, he hanged the agent of the crime, that no witness might remain of it.Ali Pasha has said that he should prevail over the pasha of Berat, become vizir of Epirus, fight with the Sultan, and go to Constantinople.In 1808, Ali Pasha defeatedIbrahim Pasha,incorporating its territory in thePashalik of Janina.

Economy

Whether Mahometan or Christian the Albanians of that tract are equally independent and unruly. They pay neither capitation nor any other tax; nominally they acknowledge the authority of the Pasha of Berat; and by their bravery and their poverty they have hitherto escaped subjection to Ali of Janina. The local population and the tradesmen neither pay thekharatjnor any other tax, except a contribution of thirtyparasa head per annum to Ibrahim Pasha of Berat, for the liberty of trading to his ports. The right of pasturage on the lands of the town ofHimara,that of gathering velanidhion the mountains, and that of fishing in the northern bay ofPalermoare enjoyed in common by all the inhabitants. Maize is grown in the plain adjacent to the northern beach, where the two torrents, which embrace the town, overflow in the winter, and prepare the land for receiving that grain.

Pasha

• Ahmet Kurt Pasha1774-1787
• Ibrahim Pasha of Berat1787-1809

See also

• Pashalik of Scutari
• Pashalik of Janina
• Albania under the Ottoman Empire

Sources

• "History of Albanian People" Albanian Academy of Science.ISBN99927-1-623-1