CEZZAR AHMED PASHA



Everyone was frightened because Bonaparte reached Akka in such a short time seizing every castle and the thought that Akka cannot be saved caused Muslims to get sad and afraid. Cezzar Ahmed Pasha, continuing his defense preparations, put in order his weapons and forces. Napoleon reached Akka, his target in Syria operation on 19 March and heavily bombarded the city immediately. The artillerymen of the castle and artillery and rifle firings from Turkish and English ships replied. The people in Akka castle were highly afraid and terrified. However, since they had infinite confidence Cezzar Ahmet Pasha, this resulted in no loss in their resistance power. Napoleon, seeing that they resist under such harsh conditions, was astonished.

Napoleon Bonaparte was warring by getting help from everwhere, on the contrary, Cezzar was resisting with his own forces. While conflicts around Akka castle continued violently, both sides had many casualties. Napoleon forces repeated their assaults successively and were fighting to seize Akka castle no matter what the price was.

Turkish forces, however, resisted with the thought to their death that Akka’s fall meant surrounding to death. It was more honorable for them to be killed for the sake of religion and state by protecting their honor than dying desperately.

Napoleon take the offensive on Akka with all his forces. Fights with swords and even knifes at each other’s throats took place with the enemies entering from the gaps in the ramparts while artilleries and rifles opened fire. In some moment, Cezzar Pasha, upon seeing that big danger, had to fire gunpowder barrels and ammunition store. The explosions blew up lots of French soldiers.

Napoleon forces, suffering great casualties and being manhandled could not feel powerful and courageous enough to turn back to Egypt and so attempted a sudden assault again. The same day, forces sent from Istanbul, reached Akka. Thanks to new regular army soldiers equipped with brand-new weapons, the assault by wore down napoleon forces could be easily repulsed. French soldiers were no longer strong enough to take the offensive on Akka castle. They also suffered much loss during the war and because of plague. After the last unsuccessful assault, Bonaparte ordered withdrawal on 21 May 1799. Undefeatable French army of the revolution was now defeated. Bonaparte, to conceal his failure, issued a declaration that he had defeated the Turkish army marching toward Egypt and Syria expedition was so finalized, nobody believed him. French soldiers left their heavy weapons and could hardly turn back to Hayfa desperately.

Bonaparte, not being able to have a foothold in Egypt buried either material or spiritual, everything he had, including his hopes, there, and went back. Cezzar Ahmed Pasha, who routed Napoleon and forced to leave the region became worldwide famous. He was gratified by the state with an appreciation message and also valuable gifts.
Sources say that Cezzar Ahmed Pasha was a very smart, resistant, and understanding person and was skillful in finding out many problems before they arose. He performed construction activities in Akka by constructing a perfect mosque, a bazaar and many fountains.

Cezzar Ahmed Pasha, who is famous because of his efforts and service could not be kept in Europe and laid his hands on North Africa, assaulted on Asia, competed with Napoleon in Akka defense and upset that proud commander. Napoleon found out the bitter and acrid taste of defeat first time in front of this Turkish commander. This Turkish hero and personage, who educated himself with his personal skills and efforts and who fought bravely in Akka siege lasting for 64 days passed away on 23 April 1804.

Information about Cezzar Ahmed Pasha was quoted from Türk Dünyası Tarih Dergisi.