Iljas Mirahori

Iljas Mirahori
Born 1408
Panarit
Died 1512 (aged 104)
Korçë
Other names Imrahor Ilyas Bey,[1] Koja Hoxha, Iljaz Bey Mirahor, Ilyas Bey, Iljaz Hoxha
Ethnicity Albanian
Occupation Soldier, administrator in the Ottoman Empire
Known for Service to Mehmed II, Iljaz Mirahori Mosque

Iljas Mirahori also known as Iljas Hoxha or Iljas Bey Hoxha, was a leading Albanian Janissary, scientist, and personal teacher to Ottoman Empire's sultan Bayezid II. Hoxha had married the daughter of sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror and was a ruler in the sandjak of Korçë, Ottoman Empire (now in modern Albania), in the 15th century.[2]

Biography

He was born Iljaz Hoxha in Panarit, Korçë District[3] and entered Janissary service probably during the reign of Murad II.

He was one of the most loyal subjects of the young emperor Mehmet II, and dedicated his life to the service of the Emperor against Skanderbeg and his Albanian forces. In the year 1453, Iljaz Hoxha's role in the Siege of Constantinople earned him the title Mirahor (General of Chevalry). Later he received the Mirahor Evel title (Head General).[2] He was known to the Ottomans as Iljaz Bey Mirahor.[1] After the conquest he was awarded the Sandjak (administrative division) of Korçë in Albania. Under the command of Mehmet II he developed Korçë as both a cultural center and garrison city. He constructed its first mosque, known today as Iljaz Mirahori Mosque.[4]

Sami Frashëri has written about Iljaz Hoxha. Sami Frashëri was a descendant of Hoxha's wife, Emine Frashëri.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Elsie, Robert (December 1, 2000). A Dictionary of Albanian Religion, Mythology, and Folk Culture. NYU Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0814722145. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The mosque of the founder of Korçë to be restaured (Restaurohet xhamia e themeluesit të Korçës)". Vepror Hasani (in Albanian). Gazeta Metropol. 06/11/2008. Retrieved 2010-03-27. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Mytevelinj the beys who founded Korca (Mytevelinjtë - bejlerët që hodhën themelet e Korçës)". Raimonda Moisiu (in Albanian). www.osdir.com. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  4. ↑ "Iljaz Bej Mirahori". Korça Municipality. Retrieved 2010-03-25.