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TURKOMANS BETWEEN TWO EMPIRES: THE ... - Bilkent University

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military measures in eastern provinces evidently show that Ottoman administration<br />

considered this possibility seriously. 1108 But Bayezid II, for some reasons, did not pursue<br />

a decisive policy against Ismail. Contemporary accounts clearly reveal that he had<br />

serious suspicion of Ismail’s faith, actions, and intentions. Nevertheless, the Ottoman<br />

Sultan always avoided open confrontation with the young ruler of Persia, perhaps<br />

fearing the possible ideological influence of the shah on his own soldiers. 1109<br />

After staying one month in Sivas, Ismail realized that he could not meet<br />

Anatolian disciples. Kemalpaşazāde states that neither any cavalry nor any infantry<br />

joined Ismail’s army. 1110 He returned disappointedly and marched on the Dulkadir<br />

territories. He first arrived in Kayseri, then entered Maraş and Elbistan. 1111 Alauddevle<br />

did not have enough force to oppose Ismail and fled to Turna Dağı. It was almost<br />

impossible to capture the fortress on this mountain for it was very precipitous. Ismail<br />

surrounded the mountain. Although Alauddevle had enough provision, the winter was at<br />

the door and snow had already fallen on the mountain. If Ismail would have kept the<br />

siege long, Alauddevle’s situation might have gotten worse. He appealed for help from<br />

both Bayezid and the sultan of Egypt. The Mamluk sultan did not respond to this appeal<br />

for he was afraid of Ismail’s possible attacks on his own country. 1112<br />

Thanks to Bayezid’s decision to take more dissuasive measures against Ismail’s<br />

rising power, Alauddevle escaped from the wrath of the Shah. Bayezid II replied to his<br />

1108 Compare TNSB, pp. 242-3.<br />

1109 As wee learn from contemporary sources, the doctrinal influence of the shah was not ignorable<br />

especially among akinci gāzis. See “Çaldıran” in this study.<br />

1110 “Muhāliften ve muvāfıktan süvār ü piyāde kimse varmaz gördi” KPZ8a, p. 254.<br />

1111 Ismail entered the country of Dulkadir on July 29, 1507. See NIT, p. 197.<br />

1112 KPZ8a, p. 256.<br />

338

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