As the Bulgarian National Revival ramps up with more and more books being published, rebellions break out throughout the Balkans. Mahmud's reforms trigger elites angry about their status being threatened and Balkan Christians angry the reforms are not being implemented. Meanwhile, Sultan Mahmud II is feeling confident that his reformed military can take on the Egyptians.
Major Characters in this Episode
Sultan Mahmut II
Mohammad Ali
Georgi Mamarchev
Vasil Aprilov
Neofit Rilski
Miloš Obrenović
Velcho Atanasov
Yordan Kisyov
Elias Riggs
Varban Panov
Incho Andreev
Krustyo Neshen
Timeline for this Episode
1833, Rila Monastery destroyed by fire before being reconstructed between 1834 and 1862
1833, April-may rebellions in Vidin, Belogradchik, and Berkovishte
1833, 4 Bulgarian books are printed, the next year another 2 are published
1834, August 6th, the Sublime porte publishes a law to organize a territorial army where each Sanjak must muster a 1,400 soldier battalion. They also publish an order prohibiting the export of grain from northern Bulgaria, requesting 550,000 bushels of wheat for government warehouses. In 1837 the government allowed surplus wheat to be exported.
1834-1835 Syrian Revolt
1835, the Welch Plot organized an uprising in Bulgaria. It’s discovered by the Ottomans and its leaders are arrested. They were hung in Tarnovo on April 13th. Other leaders were brutally tortured.
1835, Vasil Aprilov opens a school in Gabrovo, choosing Neofit Rilski as a teacher
1835, Neofit Rilski issued his Bolgarska gramatika
1835, Textile factory opens in Sliven
1835, Serbia adopts a constitution following a rebellion
1836, May, rebellions in Pirot, Belogradchik, and Berkovitsa as well as Albania and Bosnia
1837, November 14th: uprising in Chiprovtsi
1838, May, the Ottoman government fixes salaries of government officials in order to combat corruption and implements legislative councils
1838, Muhammad Ali threatens to declare independence, is attacked by and defeats the Ottomans only to be defeated in turn by a European coalition. He is stripped of all territories except Egypt itself
1838, Ottomans sign a trade treaty with France
1839, Death of Mahmut II
