Draft:Battle of Rawandiz

Battle of Rawandiz
Part of Kurdish-Ottoman conflicts
20190509 152203.Rawanduz.Erbil.Kurdistan
Date1833
Location36°36′32.5″N 44°31′27.3″E / 36.609028°N 44.524250°E / 36.609028; 44.524250
Result Soran Emirate victory
Belligerents
Soran Emirate Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mir Muhammad Pasha of Rawanduz Unknown
Strength
~30,000 ~90,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown Heavy

The Battle of Rawandiz (1833) was a major conflict between the Soran Emirate and the Ottoman Empire during the Kurdish quest for autonomy. The battle, led by Mir Muhammad Pasha of Rawanduz, resulted in a decisive victory for the Soran forces, despite being significantly outnumbered.

Background

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In the early 19th century, the Soran Emirate rose as a powerful Kurdish polity under the leadership of Mir Muhammad Pasha, also known as "Mir Kora." Determined to consolidate Kurdish territories and assert independence, he launched numerous campaigns to resist Ottoman authority. His efforts were met with significant Ottoman military responses, culminating in the Battle of Rawandiz.[1][2]

Prelude to the Battle

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The Ottomans, under Sultan Mahmud II, mobilized a large force to subdue the Soran Emirate and reestablish imperial authority in the region. The Ottoman army, estimated at 90,000 troops, included local tribal auxiliaries. In response, Mir Muhammad organized a well-prepared defense, leveraging the rugged Kurdish terrain and employing guerrilla tactics.[3][4]

The Battle

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The battle took place near the town of Rawandiz. Mir Muhammad's forces, although numbering only 30,000, utilized superior knowledge of the terrain and strategic ambushes to inflict heavy casualties on the Ottoman forces. The Soran Emirate achieved a decisive victory, forcing the Ottomans into retreat.[2]

Aftermath

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The victory at Rawandiz marked the height of the Soran Emirate's power and underscored the leadership of Mir Muhammad Pasha. However, the emirate's growing influence alarmed the Ottoman Empire and neighboring powers. In subsequent years, renewed Ottoman campaigns and shifting alliances eventually led to the decline of the Soran Emirate by the mid-1830s.[1][3]

Significance

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The Battle of Rawandiz is a notable event in Kurdish history, symbolizing resistance against external domination and the pursuit of self-determination. It also highlights the military and strategic prowess of Kurdish leadership during a period of regional upheaval.

References

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  1. ^ a b Eppel, Michael. A People Without a State: The Kurds from the Rise of Islam to the Dawn of Nationalism. Routledge, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Jwaideh, Wadie. The Kurdish National Movement: Its Origins and Development. Syracuse University Press, 2006.
  3. ^ a b Steinvorth, Daniel. "Jagd auf den Engel Pfau," Neue Zürcher Zeitung, December 22, 2016.
  4. ^ Muhammad, Qadir Muhammad. Kurds and Kurdistan in the View of British Travellers in the Nineteenth Century. University of Leicester, 2017.

See also

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