Bitlisi, Idris

(?-1520)

   Idris Bitlisi was a highborn Kurdish scholar and diplomat who helped broker important agreements between the Ottoman Empire and Kurdish emirates when the Ottomans first expanded into Kurdistan in the early 1500s. Possessed with a great deal of excellent political acumen, he was trusted by both sides.

   Sultan Selim I (1512-1520) authorized Idris Bitlisi to grant the former ruling Kurdish families prominent positions in the newly conquered territories of parts of Kurdistan and establish their administrative framework. In return, the Kurds recognized nominal Ottoman suzerainty. Thus, over the years some 16 semi-autonomous Kurd hukumeti, or Kurdish emirates, were recognized, covering around 30 percent of Kurdistan. Some of these emirates lasted into the middle of the 19th century.

   The remaining territory was organized into some 20 sanjaqs, or provincial districts, some under hereditary Kurdish rulers and others directly administered by centrally appointed officials. Most of these Kurdish emirates and some of the hereditary sanjaqs were usually, but not always, exempt from taxes or other Ottoman interference. Specifics reflected the balance of forces at any given time. Although neither the central government nor the Kurdish rulers were completely satisfied, Idris Bitlisi's organizational policies proved largely successful.

   In 1515, Idris Bitlisi also proved successful in defending Diyar-bakir after a siege of one and a half years by the Persians. Subsequently, he captured Mardin and other towns in what is now largely southeastern Turkey. He used substantial numbers of Kurdish forces in these campaigns. His history, the Hasht Behesht (Eight Paradises), covers the reigns of the eight Ottoman sultans from Othman to Bayezid II and was written in the most elaborate style of Persian.