The Rise and Decay of the Rule of Islam

Preface

. [v^ggf*1 0 much attention has recently been |a§|S||: drawn to the Eastern Question, and p^^vf so much importance attaches to the subject, that I hope I may be pardoned for making another contribution to its literature. I have endeavoured in this work to put into a popular shape the materials for forming a true judgment upon its general scope and bearing. I have given, as briefly as possible, a sketch of the life and teaching of Mahomet ; a history of the Saracenic Empire which he founded, and of the Turkish Empire which succeeded it. I have endeavoured to show that the Eastern Question is one, in the settlement of which England, of all other Powers, is the most interested, not only on account of the vast extent of her possessions in the East, but also of its importance as affecting the balance of power in Europe.

PREFACE.

. VI There are unmistakable signs that more than one of the great military Powers of Europe entertain ambitions which if attained would materially affect the interests of England. The continual aggressions of Russia in Central Asia, and her gradual stealthy ap proaches towards the frontiers of British India, are a direct menace to our possessions there, which it behoves us to meet in time. The sedulous care which the same Power takes to foment rebellion in the provinces of European Turkey, and the assumption of a species of protectorate over all Slavonic peoples, are also symptoms which Europe, and especially England, would do well to study. Her affec tation also of humanitarian feelings would be laughable, if the pretext were less grave. For, indeed, the frightful oppression under which the Christian provinces of Turkey have for centuries groaned, forms an ample justifi cation for the interference of Europe.

The Porte has before tbis received many significant warnings, but unhappily they have been utterly disregarded. It has indeed made many and brilliant promises of reform, and has granted many Charters and Bills of Bights, from the Hatti Scheriff of Gulhane in 1839, to

PREFACE.

. VII the Constitution of Midhat Pasha in 1876. But they have been one and all inoperative, and the Christians remain at the present day in no better condition than they were fifty years ago. We are at length brought reluctantlv to recognise the fact that the Ottoman Govern ment is hopelessly corrupt and worthless, and that the time has come when it must give place to a better and a juster one. The atrocities of Bulgaria and Salonica, last year, aroused general indignation, and Europe tried what could be done in the way of per suasion. The Conference sat and made many proposals of reform ; but pointing out that previous solemn promises had been broken, asked that some species of guarantee should be given in this instance for their fulfilment. The answer was as might have been expected — a sullen refusal to permit any semblance even, of interference in the internal affairs of Turkey.

Europe, thus repulsed, must now leave Turkey to her fate. What that is likely to be, the coming months will tell. We have no wish ourselves to benefit by the future dismemberment of Turkey, but we must take care that no other Power does so either.

PREFACE.

. The chief danger at the present time is in a secret coalition of the three great Empires for the re-arrangement of the map of Europe, by which Germany should gain the seaports she so much desires at Antwerp and Rotterdam, while Russia and Austria find their recompense in Turkey. It seems to me that a Federation of States,. something similar to what I have sketched out, would be the only effectual barrier to such an arrangement, in the East at all events. It is a comfort in a time of so much anxiety and peril to know that the interests of our country are in the hands of statesmen who will have due care for the honour and the dignity of England, and who will carry through the task they have set before them, unmoved and undaunted by storms and menaces from. without or from within. A. J. D. PAGE CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Introductory -_-... x CHAPTEE II. Area of Turkey. — Its products, soil, and population - - 14

Chapter III

Mahomet. — His early life. — His preaching. — His first disciples.— Persecutions. — The Hegira - - - 21

Chapter IV

Mahomet is appointed Governor of Medina. — Proclaims himself Prophet and Vicegerent of God. — Conversion of Arab tribes. — Capture of Mecca. — His schemes of conquest. — His death. — The principles of the Koran - -29 CHAPTEE V. Accession of Abu Bekr. — Eebellion and defeat of Bedouin tribes. — Conquest of Arabia - - - - 45 CHAPTEE VI. Expedition to Syria. — Defeat of Byzantine troops. — Campaigns in Persia. — Capture of Irak and Hira. — Defeat of Persian army. — Siege and.capture of Damascus by Khaled. —Death of Abu Bekr ... - X CONTENTS. PAGE 60 75 86 100 107 118

CHAPTER VII.

Omar appointed Caliph. — Displaces Khaled. — Obeidah captures Emessa and Baalbec. — Battle of Yermouk. —Defeat of Byzantine army .....---

CHAPTER VIII.

Capture of Jerusalem, Aleppo, Antioch, and other cities. — Campaign in Egypt. — Capture of Memphis and Alexandria -------

CHAPTER IX.

Persia. — Capture of Ctesiphon. — Death of Omar. — Accession of Othman. — Conquests in Africa. — Defeat of Byzantine fleet. — Capture of Cyprus, Crete, Malta, and Rhodes. — Murder of Othman. — Accession of Ali. — Rebellion in Arabia and Syria. — Ali is deposed and murdered -

CHAPTER X.

Hassan is chosen as Caliph, but abdicates in favour of Moawyah. — Eirst attack on Constantinople. — Saracens repulsed. — Murder of Hassan. — Acbah's conquests in the North of Africa ------

CHAPTER XI.

Revolt of Abu Mosslem and massacre of the Ommiades. — Capital removed to Bagdad. — African provinces declare their independence. — The Seljuk Turks conquer Bagdad and usurp caliphate. — Erthogrul. — Othman assumes the title of Sultan. — Orkhan. — Bajazet I. — Defeat of the Turks by Timur -------

CHAPTER XII.

Mahomet I. — Amurath II. — Conquests in Europe.— Scanderbeg. — Mahomet II. — Capture of Constantinople. — Is defeated by Hunnyady and Scanderbeg - - -

CHAPTER XIII.

Bajazet II. — The Janissaries. — Selim I.— Solyman the Magnificent. — Selim II. — Battle of Lepanto. — Amurath III. — CONTENTS. XI Mahomet III. - Mustapha I. - Othman II. - Revolt of PAGE Janissaries.— Murder of Othman.^Amurath IV. - .130

CHAPTER XIV.

War with Austria. - Revolt of Shah Abbas Ibrahim.- Mahomet IV.— Revolt of Pashas. -Insurrection in Constantinople.— Campaign in Poland.— Capture of Candia — War with Germany.— Defeat of Turkish army at Vienna. —Deposition of Mahomet and Accession of Solyman II.— Treaty of Carlo witz - ■. . _ .14-7

CHAPTER XV.

Russia and her aspirations.— Charles XII. takes refuge at Bender. — First campaign with Russia.— Destruction of -Turkish fleet at Chios.— Abdul Hamid.— Treaty of Rustchuk Kamardji— War with Russia and Austria— Austria defeated.— Treaty of Sistow.— Death of Abdul Hamid - 149

CHAPTER XVI.

Selim III.— Cession of territory to Austria and Russia.— Napoleon's expedition to Egypt.— Capture of Alexandria. —Battle of the Nile.— Battle of the Pyramids.— Cairo, Jaffa, Acre.— Defeat of French army.— Napoleon returns to France - - - . . _ lfio

CHAPTER XVII.

Formation of Nizam Djedit.— Insurrection.— Selim compelled to abdicate. — Mustapha IV. —Bairaktar deposes* Mustapha.— Mahmoud II.— Revolt of Janissaries and murder of Bairaktar.— War with Russia.— Treaty of Bucharest.— The Wahabees. — Ibrahim Pasha subdues them. — The Greek revolution. — Destruction of the Janissaries. Internal reforms.— Treaty of Adrianople.— Algiers taken by the French.- Egypt— Re volt of Mehemet Ali.— Russian help.- Treaty of Hunkiar Iskelessi— Death of Mahmoud 175

CHAPTER XVIII.

Accession of Abdul Medjid. — Settlement of Egyptian Question. — Convention excluding foreign ships from CONTENTS. XII PAGE 197 211 225 243 255 268 279 Dardanelles. — Omar Pasha. — French Revolution. — Austria. — Hungary -

CHAPTER XIX.

The Czar Nicholas and England. — The Crimean War

CHAPTER XX.

Results of the war. — New projects of Turkish reform. — Troubles in Syria. — The Druses and Maronites. — Accession of Abdul Aziz. — Insurrection in Crete. — Intervention of Powers. — Servia. — Russian plotting. — Panslavism

CHAPTER XXI.

History of Servia. — Revolutionary feeling in Montenegro and Roumauia. — Meeting of the Emperors of Russia, Germany, and Austria. — Turkish promises of reform

CHAPTER XXII.

Professor Von Sybel's scheme. — Lord Stratford de Redcliffe's proposals. — The Andrassy Note. — Midhat Pasha's suggestions. — The Berlin Note. — Events in Bulgaria

CHAPTER XXIII.

Causes of Bulgarian rising. — The revolutionary propaganda. —Mr. Schuyler's report. — Deposition of Abdul Aziz. — Accession of Murad. — Death of the ex-Sultan. — Murad is deposed. — Accession of Abdul Hamid -

CHAPTER XXIV.

Excitement in Servia. — Russian a'gents and volunteers. — Remonstrances of Great Powers. — Discontent of Moslems. — Murder of Ministers. — Prince Milan elected kin" of Bosnia. — Servia declares war. — Its result -

CHAPTER XXV.

Public opinion in England. — Lord Russell. — Letters in newspapers.— Public meetings. — Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet. — Lord Stratford de Redcliffe's further proposals. CONTENTS. XIII PAGE Russia offers to occupy Bulgaria. — Conference proposed by England, and accepted by Great Powers. — Its meeting. — Midhat appointed Grand Vizier. — New constitution pro mulgated ----- 1 - 286

CHAPTER XXVI.

Degraded position of Christians iu Turkey. — Character aud disposition of Turks. — Lord Bacon's opinion. — Dr. Johnson. — Guizot. — Causes of the failure of the Conference. — Lord Derby's letter to Sir H. Elliot. — Temper of Moslem population. — The massacres at Salonica - - - 296

CHAPTER XXVII.

Demands of the Asiatic provinces. — Their similarity to those of Europe. — Turkish threats. — India. — Sir George Campbell's opinion - - - - - -312

CHAPTER XXVIII.

The Conference. — Competitors for settlement of Eastern Question — Russia, Austria, Servia, Greece, Germauy. — The Minor Powers - - - - - 321

CHAPTER XXIX.

England's qualifications for the task. — Proposed Byzantine Federation. — Conclusion ----- 336