Bairaktar

Bairaktar (more correctly, Bairak-dar), signifying 'standard-bearer,' is the title of the energetic Grand-vizier Mustapha. Born in 1755, of poor parents, he entered the military service at an early age, and soon distinguished himself by his valour. When he was pasha of Rustchuk in 1806, he fought with some success against the Russians, and after the revolt of the janissaries in 1807, by which Selim III. (see TURKEY) was deposed in favour of Mustapha IV., Bairaktar marched his troops to Constantinople, where they found the dead body of Selim lying in the first court of the seraglio. Bairaktar executed all those who had had any share in the murder, deposed Mustapha IV., and proclaimed the brother of this prince, Mahmoud II., sultan on the 28th July 1808. Bairaktar was now appointed grand-vizier, and endeavoured to carry out Selim's reforms, and to strengthen the regular army. His chief object was the annihilation of the janissaries; but, favoured by the fanatical people, these pretorians rebelled, and, with the support of the fleet, attacked the seraglio on the 15th November 1808, and demanded the restoration of Mustapha IV. Bairaktar defended himself bravely; but when he saw that the flames threatened to destroy the palace, and that he was in danger of falling alive into his enemies' hands, he strangled Mustapha, threw his head to the besiegers, and then blew himself up.