Note 154 — Chapter IV

Sultan Selim had drawn out his troops against Persia, with the determination, if not to conquer the country entirely, at least to do them all the mischief he could; for which reason his tremendous army was already, in 1517, encamped near Aleppo. Gäwri, the Circassian Sultan in Egypt, when he heard of this enterprise, being fearful that after Selim had accomplished his intentions respecting Persia, he might attack him, sent ambassadors, to offer his assistance against the Persians. Selim accepted it, and Gäwri immediately collected his forces. As the two armies lay near each other, it so happened that some Circassians attacked, and plundered, some loaded camels, which were going to Selim’s camp. Selim, who looked upon this as an affront, instantly resolved to leave the Persians quiet for the present, and to draw his sword against his ally. This he accordingly did, and Gäwri, being betrayed by two of his generals, was defeated, and fell in the action. Those who escaped from the battle fled to Kahire, where they related what had passed; and a general assembly being convened, they immediately proceeded to the election of a new king, Tumanbey. He marched to attack Selim once more, was defeated, and having experienced various reverses of fortune, at last fell into his hands. Selim was so charmed with his understanding, that he not only granted him his freedom, but intended to appoint him viceroy over Egypt. However, before this event took place, people began to talk freely concerning their hopes, that when Selim should have withdrawn, Tumanbey, with the remaining Circassians and Arabians, might be able to drive his troops out of Egypt, and reinstate the Circassians in their former dominion. These reports came to Selim’s knowledge; yet his confidence was so great, that he at first did not entertain any suspicion of Tumanbey. But at length, when they continued, and even increased, he ordered the unhappy man to be arrested, and hanged under one of the gates of Kahire. On which occasion, like a true barbarian, he made use of the following words: “How great my favour was towards him, I have sufficiently proved; the effects of his partisans’ conversation, let the wretch himself experience.” With him not only ended the government of the Circassians in Egypt, after it had continued 286 years, but, by command of Selim, they were for several days left to the mercy of their conquerors, who treated them with the greatest cruelty.