The Revolt of Mehmet Ali Pasha - its Impact on the Port-City of Antalya (1831-1833)

Abstract

The port-city of Antalya since its foundation has been one of the most important of Anatolia's Mediterranean gateways. From antiquity onwards the maritime trade connections between Anatolia and Egypt were, to a large extent, centred around this port and, in consequence, events in Egypt on occasion affected Antalya directly. Antalya was one of the regions most affected by the revolt of Mehmet Ali Pasha. At the beginning of Mehmet Ali Pasha's revolt, urgent security measures were taken in Antalya because of the threat-fear of an attack on Antalya coming from the sea. The port of Antalya played an important role in the supply route for both ammunition and soldiers, serving as a transport base until the Battle of Konya. Ibrahim Pasha, following the Battle of Konya, sent a letter to the Guardian (Muhafız) of Antalya, Yusuf Pasha, requesting him to give his allegiance to him, but Yusuf Pasha refused. In response, Ibrahim Pasha dominated to city through sending a new deputy lieutenant-governor (mütesellim) who collected the taxes. The people of Antalya were made subjected to Ibrahim Pasha's mütesellim, because of the fear that Ibrahim Pasha would launch an assault on the city. During the administration of Antalya under Ibrahim Pasha, the port-city formed a bridge between Egypt and the Egyptian army in Anatolia. The authority of Mehmed Ali Pasha over Antalya was ended through the Convention of Kutahya, mediated by the European Powers, between Sultan Mahmud II and Mehmed Ali Pasha. Immediately afterwards, the Porte appointed a new tax collector (muhassil) for Antalya and Ottoman governance was re-established in the port-city.