This biography study on Mahmud Pasha of Shkodra (1752-1796), by revising its figure
in the classic Albanian historiography and Ottoman historiography, tries to put him in
the proper place in the studies on the Ottoman local notables. Emphasizing more on
his rebellion and giving it some national nuance, the Albanian historiography tried to
show it as a struggle of independence from Ottoman center. On the other hand, from
a central point of view Ottoman chroniclers blamed these local notables for the
disorder that was taking place in the provinces. But, both sides failed to capture the
true picture of him. Therefore, this thesis, basing on a new reinterpretation of sources
according to the revisionist works on ottoman local notables, challenges the two
narratives.Abstract iv
Öz v
Acknowledgements vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Symbols and Abbreviations ix
CHAPTERS
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. THE RISE TO THE POWER 12
2.1. Origins of the Bushatli Family 12
2.2. Ottoman Albania in the Eighteenth-Century 15
2.3. Early Life of Mahmud 20
2.4. Son of a Pasha 24
2.5. The Efforts of a Father 29
2.6. The Paşalık of Shkodra After the Death of Mehmed Pasha 34
3. THE RE-EMERGENCE OF THE PAŞALIK UNDER BUSHATLI MAHMUD 41
3.1. The New Governor of Shkodra 41
3.2. Mahmud and the Albanian Pashas 46
3.3. The Relations with the Central Government 49
3.4. Protecting the Legacy 52
3.5. A Merchant Pasha 57
3.6. Competition Among Neighbors 62
4. THREE FACES OF MAHMUD PASHA 67
4.1. Crisis in the North 67
4.2. The Podgorica Issue 70
4.3. The Role and the Image of Mahmud in Podgorica 74
4.4. Military Campaigns on Montenegro and Venice 78
4.5. Expedition in Southern Albania 83
5. THE END OF AN OTTOMAN NOTABLE 90
5.1. Challenging the Central Order 90
5.2. The Siege of Shkodra 94
5.3. A Useless Victory and a Regretful Rebel 98
5.4. Serving the Sublime Porte 103
5.5. Second Siege of Shkodra 107
5.6. The Spanish Intermediation and the Last Forgiveness 111
6. CONCLUSION 115
BIBLIOGRAPHY 119
APPENDICES
A. Map of the Western Balkan 128
B. The Network of the Bushatlis in the Region 129
C. The Influence Zone of the Bushatlis 13
