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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 9, 2015 0:12:27 GMT
The armies of Sarı Süleyman Pasha, after a month of preparation in the ex-Imeretian capital of Kutaisi head out of the city to subdue and conquer the province once and for all. The Azabs and Timariots are employed as skirmishers, to scout ahead and if there is little resistance, to clear settlements of rebels and weapons caches. The Azabs are in charge of thorough searches of all settlements and the seizure of all and any weapons, even those claimed to be for hunting. The fear is that the tiny kingdom will attempt to use guerrilla tactics in the face of such an overwhelming force, Süleyman wishes to limit their means to do so. Although the Timariot wave is somewhat more chaotic and less controlled, when towns and villages are occupied by the Foot Artillery, to be supervised by small detachments of Janissaries, they are under strict instructions to not interfere with anyone who is not in possession of a weapon, committing an act of violence or inciting violence. Those that commit a crime against Imeretians are not to be subjected to summary judgment, but presented to the traditional justice system of the Georgians, to be tried by their own people. Churches and holy sites are to be left unmolested, even by the raiders (although the raiders are allowed to seize supplies and loot from elsewhere). The hope is that a brief dose of fear will be healthy and encourage the timariots and Azabs, but that it is then immediately important to make life feel as unchanged and fair as possible. Let them taste the stick before offering the carrot.
The Janissary core and siege bombards are to be left in one elite core should a large battle or siege be needed. Once the coastal areas and main settlements are occupied the army is to set up fortified encampments to defend the mountain passes and border to the north, with the occupation of the towns being left to the Azabs and 5,000 timariots. Once the situation is secure, the foot artillery and janissaries on occupation duty are to be recalled to the northern fortification effort.
Sarı Ordusu, the Army of the Grand Vezir, on campaign in Imereti:
-20,000 janissaries
-5,000 Azabs
-10,000 Foot Artillery
-10,000 Timariots
-10,000 Sipahis
-300 demi-cannons
-500 siege bombards
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 10, 2015 15:16:33 GMT
Bozoklu Mustafa Pasha, Military Governor of Imereti, is appointed commander of the Yellow Army by Süleyman before his departure to Ossetia. He keeps the troops busy with drills and fortification efforts, and eases up the pressure on the population with the occupation. He makes sure to get as many supplies as possible to be transported via the black sea, so as not to cause inconvenience to the Imeretians.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 17:03:20 GMT
The local population looks to be resigned to their new future under the Ottoman Empire, however, the King of the Imereti, Alexander, has taken 4,000 of his line infantry and holed himself up in the fortress at Surami. Until the King is brought to terms, his capacity to stir up trouble in Imertia is considerable. The Grand Vezir may invest the fortification, or demand that Alexander try to come to terms.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 10, 2015 18:11:38 GMT
10,000 Janissaries are left to work on the fortification of the mountain passes and the border with Circassia. The rest of the Janissaries, the Foot Artillery and the entire artillery corps prepare for a siege of Surami. A messenger is sent to offer King Alexander a good position in post-conquest society. He is to be given a vast pension of 500 ducats annually so that he may support himself, he will be allowed to keep all of his current property and land holdings, will be free to serve as a salaried general in the Ottoman armies and upon his death the fortress of Surami will become an hereditary Timariot holding for his descendants. If he refuses to accept these terms, or to propose better ones, the fortress will be levelled, he shall be declared a rebel and will be executed upon his capture. His lands shall all be seized by the Sultan.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 15:37:40 GMT
Alexander looks down the parapet at the massed Ottoman army before him. He looks down at the Ottoman herald with a deep stare..."okay" Alexander says, shrugging his shoulders. Alexander knows his situation is dire, and with no relief on the way, he'd rather die in bed a craven than bleeding to death in a pointless gesture.
Alexander has relinquished his right to be King of Imertia, but expects the Ottomans to treat both himself and his people honourably. The 4,000 line infantry, however, are dumbstruck by their King's craven actions and throw down their weapons and leave the scene as bitter men.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 11, 2015 18:49:43 GMT
The victorious Ottoman army marches into the fortress and raises the crescent flag of the empire. Sherbert is distributed to the men and a great show is made out of the obvious handing over of a chest of 500 ducats to King Alexander. Bekri Mustafa had actually considered retiring the king somewhere deep in the wilderness afterwards and having him quietly strangled with a bow-string, never to be seen or heard of again. The disgust shown by his men at the display of cowardice and the blatant accepting of Ottoman bribe money changed his mind, however.
The Ottomans shall keep their word, and shall pamper the King of Imereti for the rest of his days. He is invited to Constantinople to swear fealty personally before the Sultan, to be awarded a ceremonial blade and to be formally invested with the Timar of Surami. Alexander is to be formally made an Ottoman bey, and government documents shall henceforth recognise him as İskender Bey.
The kingdom of Imereti is to be annexed as an Ottoman Eyalet. No property is to be confiscated or redistributed other than the following: Public and common lands not considered part of the personal estates of the King will be claimed by the Ottoman state, but all previous arrangements regarding peasant rights (from grazing to firewood, from fishing to traversing) shall be maintained and respected. The gold mines are to become the possession of the Ottoman state, but will make sure to employ free Imeretians to manage its operations. The maintenance and organisation of the Orthodox church is to be governed by the Ecumenical Patriarch, and freedom of worship is granted to all Muslims, Jews and Christians. Full freedom of movement is restored and native laws will be maintained wherever they are in accordance with Ottoman law.
To celebrate the victory, Bekri Mustafa commissions the creation of a 'Golden Fleece', trusting in a Jewish jeweller, Yusuf Efendi, to construct something ostentatious enough to be worthy both of the Argonauts and the Sultan. The Land of the Golden Fleece is now an Ottoman province. Bekri Mustafa is to be recognised as its first Beylerbey, commander of the Yellow Army and governor of the Eyalet of Imereti, with adjacent governors required to heed his advice.
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