Gazi Evrenos

Mausoleum of Gazi Evrenos in Giannitsa, Greece

Gazi Evrenos Bey (Gazi Evrenos Beg or Hadji Gazi Evrenos) (1288- 17 November 1417) Evrenos Bey, born in Balıkesir, Turkey, was the ancestor of the famous Evrenosoğulları (Evrenosogullari), a Turcoman family who served under Karesi Beyliği (Principality) between 1302 and 1361. After Orhan Gazi conquered Karesi, Evrenos Bey started to serve under Ottoman becoming one of the four ancient families of the Ottoman warrior nobility, the other three being the Mihaloğulları (Mihailogullari), the Malkoçoğulları (Malkocogullari) and the Turahanoğulları (Turahanogullari or Turhanogullari).

The real name of Evrenos Bey is Evren, which was used as a name for many villages in Anatolia. According to some historical documents "os" suffix was given to Evren by Greek locals due to his fairness, while he was leading Ottoman Army with Süleyman Paşa (Pasha), son of Orhan Gazi, for the conquest of Rumeli, Thrace and Balkans. Since "os" means "Bey" (Mr.), Evrenos already means "Evren Bey".

Gazi Evrenos Bey died at the age of 129 in Gianitsa, at 50 km northwest of Thessaloniki (Selanik), Greece and was buried in a mausoleum in 1417. The mausoleum is still intact however was restored in 19th century. During his lifetime as an army commander he served under 4 Ottoman sultans: Orhan I, Murad I, Beyazid I and Mehmed I.

Boz Oklu Han is the ancestor of 7 brothers: Vırsk Han, Kasun Han, Yoregür Han, Pranko İsa Bey, Koç Demir Han, Ozar Han, Gündüz Alp Han. Gazi Evrenos is the only son of Pranko İsa Bey and today's Evrenos Family (Evrenosoğulları) descend from Gazi Evrenos Bey. His son İkiyürekli Ali Bey, grandson Gazi Ahmet Bey and grandgrandson Musa Bey are some of the famous descendants who continued to serve under Ottoman Empire until early 20th century.

Evrenos's descendants received the title of Şerif after Ahmed Bey (son of Gazi Ahmed Bey's grandson) married one of the descendants of Fatima Zahra, daughter of the prophet Muhammad.

Footnotes

# Evrenos's father was known as Prangi İsa after the name of the village where he was buried. Prangi (Prangion) is situated near the right bank of the river Evros (Maritza, Meriç), some 6 km east of Didymotikhon (Didimotiho, Dimetoka).

See also

* Dojran - Legend of Berovo Lake
* Gianitsa

External links

* Mausoleum of Gazi Evrenos in Giannitsa (Giannitsa, Yenitsa), Greece. (Yenice Vardari in Turkish)
* Mausoleum of Gazi Ahmed Bey, grandson of Gazi Evrenos, built in 1490 in Gianitsa.
* The Ottoman Conquest of Thrace, Aspects of Historical Geography - a thesis by Georgios C. Liakopoulos (*.pdf document)

References

* I. Melikoff, Encyclopedia of Islam, second edition, Vol. 2, 720-1
* Vasilis Demetriades, The Tomb of Ghazi Evrenos Bey at Yenitza and Its Inscription, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 39, No.2, pp. 328-332 , 1976