Although his real name is unknown, it is thought that the name Hacı Ilbeg was a title. The information we have about him dates back to the XVth century sources. According to Neşri, while he was the vizier of Dursun Bey, an emir of Karesioğulları, he entered the Ottoman service during the annexation of a part of Karesioğulları Principality to the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Orhan Gazi.
He persuaded Şehzade Süleyman Pasha, who was appointed as the Sanjak Beylik of Karesi, to move to Rumelia, and he provided important services in the conquests in Gallipoli and Thrace. He took part in the conquests made from different branches and assumed the duty of commander. After the capture of Konurhisar castle in Tekirdağ, he became the guard of this place.
Hacı Ilbeg, who made Konurhisar his base, also played an important role in the conquest of Malkara and Ipsala. He organized continuous raids to Dimetoka, Çorlu and Hayrabolu regions. After the death of Süleyman Pasha, he prevented the regression together with Lala Şahin Pasha and Evrenos Bey during Orhan Bey's transition to a calm period by making peace with Byzantium. During the siege of Edirne, he conquered Pythion, located at an advanced point on the Evros River. He continued to squeeze Dimetoka and Edirne throughout this period. Finally, in 1359, he took Dimetoka and cut off the aid to Edirne from the south. During the siege of Edirne, he commanded the left column of the Ottoman army and played an important role in the siege.
According to the Ottoman chronicles, Hacı Ilbeg defeated the Crusader forces at the Battle of Sırpsındığı. In the same chronicles, it is said that he captured the army under the command of the Hungarian King Lajos I after crossing the Evros River and destroyed it under the cover of night. However, while there is such information in Ottoman sources, there is no information in Western sources. There is only information about the Battle of Çirmen in 1371. It is very likely that the Ottoman chronicles confused and intertwined these two battles. Therefore, Hacı Ilbeg's role in this war is enigmatic and it is not known whether he participated in the Battle of Çirmen or not. However, this information does not change the fact that Hacı Ilbeg, with his military personality, played a major role in the conquest of Rumelia and was a great end-beyom.
References
ABDÜLKADİR ÖZCAN, "HACI İLBEY", TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/haci-ilbey (01.11.2024).
Aşıkpaşazade, Tarih
Neşri, Cihannüma
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