Daud Pasha Gurji

Daud Pasha Gurji (1767 or aprox. 1774-1851), The last Mameluke ruler of Iraq in 1817-31. His actual surname was Manvelashvili, born in Kvemo Kartli, Georgia. As a child, he was kidnapped by the slave traders and sold in Turkey. His owner, Suleiman Buyuq, Pasha of Bagdad, sent him to a school for Mamelukes. After graduating from the school, he served at a number of important positions. Upon becoming the ruler of Iraq, Daud Pasha renounced the Sultan of Ottoman Empire and resorted to independent home and foreign policy. He reformed his troops into the army of European style. Besides other innovations, he set up the 1st printing house in Iraq. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-29, Daud Pasha endeavored to build up Iraq’s independence. In 1830, Sultan of Turkey sent his army to subdue the obstinate ruler of Iraq. In 1831 he surrendered to the Ottoman army. In 1834-36 Daud Pasha was the Governor of Bosnia; in 1836 he was transferred to Istanbul. In 1839-41 he governed the Ankara Vilayet. In 1841 Daud Pasha retired; in 1846 he settled down in Medina and according to his personal request, he was appointed to the position of the keeper of the grave of Mohammad.

 

Daud Pasha Gurji died in Medina and was buried near the grave of Caliph Osman.