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Gedik Ahmed Pasha was born in Serbia. In the
reign of Sultan Murad II he entered the palace as a servant. He left the
palace with a military rank, in the sultanate of Sultan Mehmed The Conqueror
and he was promoted to be the Governor of Roumelia. Later, he was appointed to be the
governor of Anatolia, in 1462. He had his first military achievement by the conquest of
Koyulhisar, in 1461. In 1469, he conquered Karaman, Eregli and Akhisar, and Sehzade
Mustafa son of Sultan Mehmed The Conqueror, appointed as the governor of Konya. Ahmed
Pasha joined the campaign, resulted with the conquest of Egriboz in following year. In the
same year, he became a vizier. In 1471, he invaded Alaiye, in the next year Icel, Karaman,
Silifke, Mokan, Gorigos, Gulek and Lulye were annexed. Ahmed Pasha defeated Karamanoglu
Pir Ahmed, and his brother Kasim Bey. He played and important role in the triumph of
Otlukbeli. Because of his brilliant military career, he replaced the Grand Vizier Mahmud
Pasha. He continued his activities in Icel and Karaman by capturing Ermenek, Manyan and
Silifke. In 1475, he invaded Kefe and then Sulak and Azap, and he besieged Menkup. In
1477, he refused the campaign of Albania and he was dismissed and imprisoned in Rumelihisari
(Fortress of Roumelia). He was freed by the reconciliation of Hersekzade Ahmed and
he was appointed to be the Kaptan-i Derya (Commander of the Navy). He
captured Kefelonia, Zanta, and Ayamavra in the Aegean Sea, in 1479. Sultan Mehmed
The Conqueror sent, the navy commanded by Ahmed Pasha to Otranto, in 1480. He
conquered Otranto, in August 1480. He learned the death of Sultan Mehmed while he was
organising a campaign to Italy. Although he requested the support of Sultan Bayezid
II, he was called back to Istanbul. In 1481, he supported Sultan Bayezid II
in his throne struggle with his brother Cem Sultan. But, Bayezid imprisoned
Gedik Ahmed Pasha, by accusing him to be a supporter of Cem Sultan. Ahmed Pasha was freed,
after the rebellion of Kapikulu Corps (Guards of Yeniceri Corps). In 18th
November 1482, he was killed by order of Sultan Bayezid, in Edirne. |
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