Polish-Ottoman War (1633–1634)

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Polish-Ottoman War of 1633-1634 refers to one of the many conflicts between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Ottoman Empire and its vassals.

[edit] Background

Mechmed Abazy was an ambitious governor of the Ottoman province Sylistria (Silistra, today in Bulgaria). This high post testified to the high abilities, ruthlessness and ambitions of this former slave. In 1632, after the death of the Polish king Sigismund III Vasa, Muscovy broke an armistice and started a war with the Commonwealth (Polish-Muscovy War (1632-1634)). This was a wonderful opportunity for the right man in the right place, so Abazy mobilized his troops and called Moldavian, Wallachian and Nogai Tatar (of the Budjak Horde) as reinforcements. It is quite probable that he acted without the sultan's or the grand vizier's knowledge or blessing, as they claimed later, but victory always has many fathers and defeat is an orphan. One can not exclude the possibility that he had (silent and secret) an agreement with sultan Murad IV. Ottoman Empire was preparing for a war with Persia and Abazy could be disavowed if things went badly, but if things did not go bad, if the Commonwealth lost the war with Muscovy or if that war was prolongated, Ottomans could gain much against one of their most persistent opponents.

[edit] 1633

At the end of June (around 29th) 1633 a strong Tatar group of Bucak Orde (about 1000 strong) raided area of Kamieniec Podolski (Kamianets-Podilskyi) city and fortress. They could have been send by Abazy as a reconnaissance force, but it is as probable that they just showed their own initiative and wanted to pillage of their own account without knowledge about the incoming war, as Ottoman Tatars and Commonwealth Cossacks conduced a semi-permanent war of constant raids and counter-raids since at least mid-16th century. This raid was quite short and after a day or two Tatars returned to Moldavia with their loot and jasyr.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth commander, Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski was in Bar and moved immediately in pursuit with 2000 cavalry when the news reached him. The hetman crossed Dniestr river and not paying any attention to border entered Ottoman territory of Moldavia, which has been the theatre of the previous Commonwealth-Ottoman war just a few decades earlier (the Moldavian Magnate Wars). Tatars probably were thinking that were safe and slowed down thus allowing hetman to caught with them on 4th of July near Sasowy Róg at river Prut. A few dozens of Tatars were killed and captured, rest dispersed. Among captives were a few high rank Tatars and Khan Temir's son in law (Khan Temir, Kantymir – chief of Budjak Horde, a well known and ferocious Tatar leader). Most of loot, all captives, cattle and horses were recovered.

Koniecpolski, who had extensive spy network through this region and was responsible for much of Commonwealth foreign policy for this region, had probably known about Abazy plans at this moment. He returned on the left bank of Dniestr, started a construction on a fortified camp near Kamieniec Podolski (an important city and a strong fortress in Podolia region) and called reinforcement for about 3000 of regular troops in his disposition: Cossacks and private troops of magnates (about 8000 men came). Abaza started his march in second half of September with Ottoman troops from his province, vassal troops and about 5000-10000 of Tatars, including almost the whole Budjak Horde led by Kantymir. In mid of October was near Chocim (Khotyn) and learned about Koniecpolski's preparations. Abaza started negotiations, probably wanting to outmaneuver Koniecpolski by diplomacy. It is possible he got news about sultan's increasing dissatisfaction, and decided to hurry his plans. Abazy crossed Dniestr about 20th of October. Kantymir started his attacks on 20th of October and continued during the next day. On 22th Abazy attacked with his full forces but was repelled with heavy loses and ordered retreat. One can speculate why - did he get orders from Constantinople (Istanbul), did he not believe that can defeat Koniecpolski or did he heard the false news that more Cossacks reinforcements are coming to aid Koniecpolski?

[edit] 1634

In next year a full war with Ottoman Empire was near (according to one source sultan created a huge army, according others was just near its creation), however sultan suffered from another failure: his vassal, khan of Crimea Canibek II (Dżanibek II), decided that he prefers to attack Muscovy. And why not? Muscovy troops were fighting with Polish troops, then-Polish Ukraine was boolstered by Cossacks and Koniecpolski's troops and besides, many times Tatars themselves offered to Commonwealth to raid Muscovy in exchange for “gifts” (or were send “gifts” to do so). About 20000 strong Tatar army attacked Muscovy in 1632, probably stronger in 1633, attacks continued in 1634 (till 1637). In June 1634 Tatars operated in area of Kursk, Orzeł; and Mceńsk. Year later attacked Lesser Nogai Orde and Azow Orde. In 1636 Crimean Tatars attacked again and Greater Nogai Orde changed their allegiance to Crimea. Southern defenses were destroyed, country depopulated (number of jasyr captives sold in Crimea is estimated to 10000). Russian historians accuse Poles that they coordinated their attacks with those of Tatars.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth victories against Muscovy (Sztein forces capitulation near Smoleńsk on February 1634, further plundering of Muscovy lands by Cossacks, Commonwealth troops and Tatars) caused the tsar to decide to seek peace with Polish new king, Władysław IV. A new peace treaty in Polanowo (or Polanówko, called pokój polanowski in Polish) was signed in June 1634. Terms of previous treaty were confirmed and in exchange for large amount of money Władysław resigned of tsar title. After that Władysław with some of his troops went south to Ukraine.

In September 1634 about 29000 of Commonwealth soldiers were concentrated near Kamieniec. Expanded regular troops of Koniecpolski (6500 including wybraniecka infantry), 5500 of infantry and dragonia that came with king from Smoleńsk, private troops of magnates and mercenaries hired by provinces. Commonwealth was making preparations for war, Smoleńsk campaign has shown that Polish infantry reform program had succeeded, new reforms in artillery were introduced which resulted in creation of new centers of cannon-making and additionally Cossacks could be mobilized. So the whole situation has changed dramatically: instead of opening second front and attack on soft belly of desperately fighting Commonwealth, sultan would have to confront the whole power of victorious king. In order to explain previous year “misunderstandings” sultan send his envoy Chavush Shaheen aga (agha) to Warsaw, blamed Abazy and promised to punish him. Abazy tried to hide or cover his failure sending sultan rich gifts, however was called to Istanbul and offered silk rope (sentenced to death).

Peace treaty was extended and sultan promised to displace Bucak Orde (but never did so). Additionally Abazy was “relieved” and new governor of Silistria got orders not to make any mischief. In 1635 Murad IV started war with Persia, conquered Azerbaijan, occupied Tabriz and captured Baghdad in 1638 (Murad IV was directly leading his Persian campaign while other sultans usually stayed in their capitol).