Who is Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha?

Ottoman in the 18th century captain of the seas Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha, one of the most important, is one of the cornerstones of our maritime history.

History of the Ottoman Empire The Naval Treaty signed with America was undoubtedly the most important event in ensuring that Hasan Pasha was not forgotten. So how did this happen?

The life of Aslanlı Hasan Pasha seems to have stepped out of the pages of an epic.

Although he was born in Tekirdağ in 1713 However, his adventures at sea earned him the nickname Algerian. Pasha, whose name was associated with piracy in his youth, quickly became one of the most important names of the Ottoman navy.

His imposing appearance was enough to frighten everyone, those who saw him outside He described him as a “bully”. He maintained his passion for the seas since his childhood. So much so that he entered the military service at a young age.

Hasan Pasha, known for his successes in the wars against Austria, went to Algeria with a ship.

Here, too, he managed to intimidate the enemies with the wars he fought. His heroism left his name written in golden letters in the maritime history of the Ottoman Empire. Sultan III. During the reign of Mustafa, a revolutionary step was taken in the field of maritime: “Engineering Department-i Bahri Hümayun” opened.

In this school, which broke new ground in the field of maritime education, courses were given in fields such as marine engineering, engineering and geography. Of course, behind these innovations is Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha had support.

During this period, America had just emerged as a new power on the world stage.

In 1783, America started flying its own flag in the seas. However, these fledgling adventures met with a harsh reaction from the Ottoman Empire. The first ship flying the American flag was in 1785. It was captured by Ottoman ships off the coast of Algeria.

In 1794, the American Congress allocated a large budget for the construction of powerful warships to oppose Ottoman sailors. But things did not go as they expected, Hasan Pasha In 1795, America signed a treaty with the Ottomans. convinced him to sign.

The agreement, signed on September 5, 1795, was the first document under which America officially became a taxpayer of the Ottoman Empire.

According to this agreement, America 12 thousand gold coins annually to the Ottoman Empire He would pay ($216 thousand); The Ottomans would also release the American sailors they had captured. This was a turning point in both Ottoman history and world history. Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha brought the state to this point.

The adventure of the nickname “Aslanlı Pasha” is more interesting. Pasha, who had been on the road since his youth, was on a hunt. catching a lion cub It is said that he domesticated it. We can say that this lion was one of the sources of the strong and fearful impression of the Pasha, who never left his lion with him.

The signed treaty was removed from the archives of Yale University on the 225th anniversary of America.

“This document is for the ruler of the world, the ruler of the seas and the land, the lord of kings, the sultan of sultans, the emperor of emperors, Son of Sultan Mustafa Khan, Sultan Selim Khan signed under his/her attention. May Allah make his rule permanent.” You can click here to review the entire text, which starts with:

Pasha, who died on March 30, 1790, had his He was buried in the Bektashi Lodge. Although his death shook the Ottoman Navy, the legacy he left formed the basis of the Turkish Naval Forces. All that remains are the statues of him standing with his lion…

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