Nikola Mavroyani: The Extraordinary Voivode of Wallachia (1786-1790)

Abstract

Nikola Mavroyani was born on the island of Paros in 1735. He came to İstanbul and was initiated by Hacı Nikolaki, the sarraf of the chief admiral Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha. Through him, he came under the patronage of the Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha. This patronage was an important turning point in Mavroyani’s life. Because the doors of Wallachian voivodeship were opened to Mavroyani thanks to Hasan Pasha.

Accordingly, Mavroyani’s first assignment was as a scribe in the naval interpreter’s entourage. Fluent in Turkish, Greek and Italian, Mavroyani was not content to be a scribe. He soon won the favour of his master, Hasan Pasha, and was promoted to the position of naval interpreter, one of the steps towards voivodeship (1770).

Mavroyani, who worked as a naval interpreter for about sixteen years, further increased his influence during this duty. Having gained his trust and confidence, he pressured his master, the Algerian Hasan Pasha, for the voivodeship. Hasan Pasha did his best and sent papers to Mihalaki Bey, forcing him to withdraw from the Wallachian voivodeship. Mihalaki also resigned out of fear for his life, citing his illness. Subsequently, Mavroyani, who was shown as a court interpreter on paper, was appointed as voivode of Wallachia on 7 April 1786, contrary to the custom.

Nikola Mavroyani obtained the voivodeship of Wallachia in an unusual way. Nevertheless, he was a loyal subject to his state. His role in the Ottoman-RussianAustrian War, which began shortly after his appointment, is proof of this. However, the harsh conditions of the war and the fall of his patrons had a negative impact on Mavroyani’s career. Having lost the support of his trusted circle due to his ambitions and missteps, Mavroyani was accused of treason against the state and was executed by order of Şerif Hasan Pasha of Ruse on 30 September 1790.