Kara Mahmud Bushati

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Kara Mahmud Bushati was a noble of the Bushati family in Ottoman controlled Albania near the city of Shkodër. Because of his rebellious character in 1780s he came in conflict with the Ottomans. This conflict is treated by the Albanian historiography as his will for creating an independent principality. Nevertheless his conflict with the Ottomans came because of his local clash with the Tosk Pashas of Southern Albania, namely Ali Pasha and Kurd Ahmet Pasha. His major quarrels were with Montenegrin which he attacked in by 1785. During his attacks in Monentenegro he burned even Cetinje. During his conflict with Southern Albanian Pashas he was approached by the Austrians who wanted to use him against the Ottomans. However he rejected their offers in 1788, and beheaded the Christian delegation instead, and send their heads as trophy to the Ottoman Sultan who pardoned him for his quarrels with the local Pashas.

Kara Mahmud Pasha was defeated in his attempt to subdue again Montenegro in 1796. He was defeated by Montenegrins in the Battle of Krusi and was beheaded by Bogdan Vukov from village Zalaz. His scull is still on display in Cetinjski manastir. His brother Ibrahim Bushati continued to work with the Ottoman Empire until his death in 1810.

[edit] Further reading

Olsi Jazexhi, KARA MAHMUD PASHË BUSHATI BUALLI I SHKODRËS, Online: http://www.geocities.com/olsi.rm/bushati.htm
Stavri Naci, Pashalleku i Shkodres nen Sundimin e Bushatllijve, Tirane