Albanian Revolt of 1910
Encyclopedia
The Albanian Revolt of 1910 was a reaction to the new centralization policies of the Young Turk Ottoman
government in Albania
. It was the first of a series of major uprisings which led to the Albanian Declaration of Independence
in 1912. New taxes levied in the early months of 1910 led to Isa Boletini
's activity to convince Albanian leaders who had already been involved in a 1909 uprising to try another revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The Albanian attacks on the Ottomans in Prishtinë and Ferizaj, the killing of the Ottoman commander in Peć
, and the insurgents' blocking of the railway to Skopje
at the Kaçanik
Pass led to the Ottoman government's declaration of martial law
in the area.
After two weeks of fierce fighting the Albanian forces withdrew to the Drenicë
region, whereas the Ottoman army took possession of the cities of Prizren
and Đakovica. The Ottomans captured Peć on June 1, 1910 and two months later they entered Shkodër
. The reprisals against the Albanian population were heavy: several summary executions took place, and many villages and properties were burned. Moreover, many schools were closed, and publications in the Albanian alphabet
, which had been approved two years earlier, in the Congress of Monastir, were declared illegal. Journalists and publishers were fined or sentenced to death. The Albanian culture and patriotism were thus severely repressed.
after the failure of a previous minor uprising in 1909. In the meantime the new governor, Masar Bey, introduced a new tax on commodities, which immediately became highly unpopular. Albanian leaders held two other meetings in Peć and Ferizaj, where they took the oath of besa
to be united against the new Ottoman government policy of centralization. Forces led by Isa Boletini attacked the Ottoman forces in Prishtinë and Ferizaj, while the commander of Ottoman forces in Peć was killed by the local population. The Ottoman government declared martial law
and sent a military expedition of 16,000 men led by Shefqet Turgut Pasha who went to Skopje on April 1910.
At the same time some 3,000 Albanians under Idriz Seferi
blocked the railway to Skopje at the Kaçanik
Pass. They captured a train conveying soldiers and military supplies to the Ottoman garrison of Prishtinë, disarmed the soldiers and held the supplies. The Ottoman forces attacked the Kaçanik Pass but the resistance given there by the Albanians led by Idriz Seferi made it clear that the 16,000 Ottoman forces were insufficient to crush the rebellion so their numbers increased to some 40,000 men. After two weeks of fierce fighting, the Ottoman forces captured the Kaçanik Pass. and attacked the Albanian forces led by Isa Boletini and Hasan Budakova, which meanwhile were blocking the Ferizaj-Prizren road to Carraleva Pass. Superior in numbers, the Ottoman forces tried at first a frontal attack but the stiff resistance offered made them change their tactics. They made a pincer movement, trying to encircle the Albanian forces in Carralevo pass.
After three days of fighting the Albanian forces withdrew to the Drenicë
region. Ottoman forces entered Prizren in the middle of May 1910. They proceeded to Đakovica and Peć where they entered on June 1, 1910. By government orders part of the force proceeded in the direction of Shkodër
, while another column marched toward the Dibër region. The first column marching to Shkodër managed to capture the Morinë
pass, after bitter fighting with the Albanian forces of Gash, Krasniq and Bytyç areas, led by Zeqir Halili, Abdulla Hoxha, and Shaban Binaku. Ottoman forces were stopped for more than 20 days in the Agri Pass, from the Albanian forces of Shalë, Shoshë, Nikaj and Mërtur areas, led by Prel Tuli, Mehmet Shpendi, and Marash Delia. Unable to repress their resistance, this column took another way to Shkodër, passing from the Pukë
region. On July 24, 1910, Ottoman forces entered the city of Shkodër. During this period martial courts were put in action and summary executions took place. A large number of firearms were collected and many villages and properties were burned by the Ottoman army.
requesting an amnesty from the Ottoman government and the return of the previous conditions before the rebellion. This was not accepted by the Ottoman government which went even further, and declared the prohibition of the Albanian alphabet
and books published in such alphabet. The Albanian schools were declared illegal and even possessing a book in Albanian letters became a penal act. Strong through numbers and position, the Ottoman expedition continued its march towards central and Southern Albania imposing the new prohibitions. Albanian schools were closed and the publications in Latin letters were declared illegal. A number of journalists and publishers were fined or sentenced to death while the entrance of Albanian books published outside Ottoman Empire was prohibited. After these events, Albania became a wasteland for Albanian patriots, and the Albanian culture was fully oppressed. One year later, Sultan Mehmed V
visited Pristina and declared an amnesty for all of those who had participated in the revolt, except for the ones who had committed murder.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
government in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. It was the first of a series of major uprisings which led to the Albanian Declaration of Independence
Albanian Declaration of Independence
The Albanian Declaration of Independence is the declaration of independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Albania was proclaimed independent in Vlorë on November 28, 1912.-Background:...
in 1912. New taxes levied in the early months of 1910 led to Isa Boletini
Isa Boletini
Isa Boletini was an Albanian nationalist figure and guerilla fighter, born in the village of Boletin near Mitroviça, Ottoman Empire...
's activity to convince Albanian leaders who had already been involved in a 1909 uprising to try another revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The Albanian attacks on the Ottomans in Prishtinë and Ferizaj, the killing of the Ottoman commander in Peć
Pec
Peć or Pejë is a city and municipality in north-western Kosovo and Metohija - Serbia, and the administrative centre of the homonymous district. Governor of city is Ali Berisha....
, and the insurgents' blocking of the railway to Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
at the Kaçanik
Kacanik
Kačanik or Kaçanik is a town and municipality in southern Kosovo, in the Uroševac district. The municipality covers an area of , including the town of Kačanik and 31 villages. It has a population of approximately 33,454...
Pass led to the Ottoman government's declaration of martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
in the area.
After two weeks of fierce fighting the Albanian forces withdrew to the Drenicë
Drenice
Dřenice is name of several locations in the Czech Republic:* Dřenice , a village in Pardubice Region * Dřenice , a village in Karlovy Vary Region, part of city Cheb...
region, whereas the Ottoman army took possession of the cities of Prizren
Prizren
Prizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
and Đakovica. The Ottomans captured Peć on June 1, 1910 and two months later they entered Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
. The reprisals against the Albanian population were heavy: several summary executions took place, and many villages and properties were burned. Moreover, many schools were closed, and publications in the Albanian alphabet
Albanian alphabet
The modern Albanian alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet, and consists of 36 letters:Note: The vowels are shown in bold. to the pronunciation of the letters.-History:...
, which had been approved two years earlier, in the Congress of Monastir, were declared illegal. Journalists and publishers were fined or sentenced to death. The Albanian culture and patriotism were thus severely repressed.
Events
During the first months of 1910, Isa Boletini tried to coordinate forces for a new insurrection by visiting the Albanian clans, which had taken refuge in MontenegroMontenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
after the failure of a previous minor uprising in 1909. In the meantime the new governor, Masar Bey, introduced a new tax on commodities, which immediately became highly unpopular. Albanian leaders held two other meetings in Peć and Ferizaj, where they took the oath of besa
Besa (Albanian culture)
Besa is an Albanian cultural precept, usually translated as "faith", that means "to keep the promise" and "word of honor". The word's origin can be traced to the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, a collection of Albanian traditional customs and cultural practices. Besa is an important part of personal and...
to be united against the new Ottoman government policy of centralization. Forces led by Isa Boletini attacked the Ottoman forces in Prishtinë and Ferizaj, while the commander of Ottoman forces in Peć was killed by the local population. The Ottoman government declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
and sent a military expedition of 16,000 men led by Shefqet Turgut Pasha who went to Skopje on April 1910.
At the same time some 3,000 Albanians under Idriz Seferi
Idriz Seferi
Idriz Seferi born in Sefer, a village in the Preševo Valley he was a distinguished Albanian officer who fought against the Ottoman Empire and Serbia during the Balkan Wars.-References:...
blocked the railway to Skopje at the Kaçanik
Kacanik
Kačanik or Kaçanik is a town and municipality in southern Kosovo, in the Uroševac district. The municipality covers an area of , including the town of Kačanik and 31 villages. It has a population of approximately 33,454...
Pass. They captured a train conveying soldiers and military supplies to the Ottoman garrison of Prishtinë, disarmed the soldiers and held the supplies. The Ottoman forces attacked the Kaçanik Pass but the resistance given there by the Albanians led by Idriz Seferi made it clear that the 16,000 Ottoman forces were insufficient to crush the rebellion so their numbers increased to some 40,000 men. After two weeks of fierce fighting, the Ottoman forces captured the Kaçanik Pass. and attacked the Albanian forces led by Isa Boletini and Hasan Budakova, which meanwhile were blocking the Ferizaj-Prizren road to Carraleva Pass. Superior in numbers, the Ottoman forces tried at first a frontal attack but the stiff resistance offered made them change their tactics. They made a pincer movement, trying to encircle the Albanian forces in Carralevo pass.
After three days of fighting the Albanian forces withdrew to the Drenicë
Drenice
Dřenice is name of several locations in the Czech Republic:* Dřenice , a village in Pardubice Region * Dřenice , a village in Karlovy Vary Region, part of city Cheb...
region. Ottoman forces entered Prizren in the middle of May 1910. They proceeded to Đakovica and Peć where they entered on June 1, 1910. By government orders part of the force proceeded in the direction of Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
, while another column marched toward the Dibër region. The first column marching to Shkodër managed to capture the Morinë
Morinë
Morinë is a settlement in eastern Albania, on the border with Kosovo. The Kosovo side of the border is Vrbnica.Morinë is an important town on the highway that connects the Kosovan capital of Pristina to Albania and thus to the Adriatic Sea....
pass, after bitter fighting with the Albanian forces of Gash, Krasniq and Bytyç areas, led by Zeqir Halili, Abdulla Hoxha, and Shaban Binaku. Ottoman forces were stopped for more than 20 days in the Agri Pass, from the Albanian forces of Shalë, Shoshë, Nikaj and Mërtur areas, led by Prel Tuli, Mehmet Shpendi, and Marash Delia. Unable to repress their resistance, this column took another way to Shkodër, passing from the Pukë
Pukë
Pukë is the capital of the Pukë District in northern Albania. The town has a population of 6,495 . The local football club is called KS Tërbuni Pukë....
region. On July 24, 1910, Ottoman forces entered the city of Shkodër. During this period martial courts were put in action and summary executions took place. A large number of firearms were collected and many villages and properties were burned by the Ottoman army.
Aftermath
Although the number of Ottoman forces was now up to 50,000 they controlled only the lowlands and the cities, and failed to control the mountainous regions. By request from Ottoman commander Mehmet Shefqet Pasha, the Ottoman government declared the abrogation of the "Lekë Dukagjini Code" which was the mountain law of Albanian clans. Some Albanian clans went to seek refuge in MontenegroMontenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
requesting an amnesty from the Ottoman government and the return of the previous conditions before the rebellion. This was not accepted by the Ottoman government which went even further, and declared the prohibition of the Albanian alphabet
Albanian alphabet
The modern Albanian alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet, and consists of 36 letters:Note: The vowels are shown in bold. to the pronunciation of the letters.-History:...
and books published in such alphabet. The Albanian schools were declared illegal and even possessing a book in Albanian letters became a penal act. Strong through numbers and position, the Ottoman expedition continued its march towards central and Southern Albania imposing the new prohibitions. Albanian schools were closed and the publications in Latin letters were declared illegal. A number of journalists and publishers were fined or sentenced to death while the entrance of Albanian books published outside Ottoman Empire was prohibited. After these events, Albania became a wasteland for Albanian patriots, and the Albanian culture was fully oppressed. One year later, Sultan Mehmed V
Mehmed V
Mehmed V Reshad was the 35th Ottoman Sultan. He was the son of Sultan Abdülmecid I. He was succeeded by his half-brother Mehmed VI.-Birth:...
visited Pristina and declared an amnesty for all of those who had participated in the revolt, except for the ones who had committed murder.