Preparations by Kesriyeli Ahmed Pasha for this Diplomatic Mission to Iran and His Journey (1746-1747)

Abstract

In 1746, the Ottoman Empire and Iran appointed envoys for a peace treaty to solve the political, social and religious problems between them. While the Ottoman ambassador Mustafa Nazif Efendi was sent to Iran for reconciliation; Iranian ambassador Fethi Ali Han came to Istanbul. As a result of diplomatic negotiations between Ottoman and Iranian governments, they reached an agreement. For the confirmation and ratification of the articles of the treaty, they had to employ new ambassadors with the same rank. While the Ottoman Empire delegated Ahmet Pasha, the governor of Sivas; the Iranian government delegated Mehdi Mustafa Khan. The Ottoman Empire started the arrangements of the embassy to be sent to Iran in October, 1746. The preparations were done with regard to the setting up of the diplomatic mission, payments and tips for the attendants, provisions for the janissary band's equipments, presents and food, and arrangements for the transportation. The mission departed from Istanbul to Iran in January 1747 by using the route through the Central Anatolia and arrived at Baghdad on 30 May 1747. In line with the customary practices, on 27 June, the Ottoman ambassador had embarked for Hamedan and Iranian ambassador for Baghdad. But, as a result of the political unrest in Iran on 19 June and due to the murder of Nadir Shah, the Ottoman ambassador returned to Baghdad while the Iranian ambassador could not depart from Baghdad. Because of the struggles for throne in Iran after the death of Nadir Shah, the Ottoman and Iranian ambassadors stayed in Baghdad for a long time. While the Ottoman ambassador Ahmet Pasha died in Baghdad in 1748; the Iranian ambassador returned to Iran for the throne struggle in 1752. The Ottoman Empire did not involve in the struggle in Iran, and tried to remain faithful to the agreement.