Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yk3jwhnk09
The relationship between Dubrovnik Republic and Bosnian governor Ali-pasha: intelligence service of Dubrovnik and official correspondence during the Austro-Ottoman War 1737-1739
Ruža Radoš Ćurić
; Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The changes anticipated by the new war of 1737 between the Habsburg Monarchy and Ottoman Empire, that is, the possible arrival of the Monarchy in Dubrovnik's hinterland, prompted Ragusan government to side with Austria and end all contacts with the Bosnian governor Ali-pasha. However, the latter's great victory near Banja Luka terminated the one-direction West-oriented policy of the Republic and it launched diplomatic mechanisms of double intelligence.
Intelligence was collected in Dubrovnik through various channels from the East and West alike: from the consuls in Naples, Barletta, Durrës and Istanbul, through Ragusan tribute ambassadors and dragomans, ecclesiastics, merchants, physicians and travellers through the neighbouring countries. Despite turbulent times, it appears that in the Austro-Ottoman War 1737-1739 the Ragusans were in possession of a vast intelligence collection consisting of reliable and updated information from various sources.
Ragusan authorities informed Ali-pasha reluctantly and with delay, sending him sparse, insignificant and outdated information wrapped in compliments, conventional phrases and futile promises. To mutuals satisfaction, however, they persuaded him that the information they supplied was valuable, probably because no information of greater importance reached him through other channels.
On the other hand, diplomatic letters to Vienna comprised a wide-range of topics, interpreted more systematically and comprehensively, for which they were highly valued at Austrian court. Also, these letters provide fresh details about the war in the Bosnian eyalet as well as an additional insight into the courage and patriotism of the Bosnian people, and contribute to a better understanding of the importance of the Bosnian battleground within the context of the Austro-Ottoman War
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
311738
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2023.
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