Turkish Captives in Hungary during Austria’s Last Turkish War (1788–91)
Turkish Captives in Hungary during Austria’s Last Turkish War (1788–91)
Author(s): Balázs LázárSubject(s): 18th Century
Published by: Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Bölcsészettudományi Kutatóközpont Történettudományi Intézet
Keywords: Austro–Turkish War (1788–91); prisoners of war; treatment of captives; exchanges of prisoners; Joseph II; Holy Roman Emperor; King of Hungary
Summary/Abstract: During the last Turkish war of the Habsburg Monarchy (1788–91), several hundred Ottoman soldiers were taken prisoner by the Habsburg army and accommodated in Hungarian fortresses. Numerous rules and orders were issued by Joseph II regarding the treatment of these prisoners. These rules represent interesting mixes of the new ideas of the Enlightenment and old habits. According to these regulations, the captured Turks were given the status of prisoner of war and were provided with regular supplies. The study also examines the circumstances of the capture, the lives, and often the deaths of the Turkish prisoners in Hungary, as well as the exchanges of prisoners, which began only slowly but eventually resulted in their release. The fate of the Austrian prisoners in Turkish captivity is also briefly discussed. The paper was completed exclusively on the basis of primary sources.
Journal: The Hungarian historical review : new series of Acta Historica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
- Issue Year: 4/2015
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 418-444
- Page Count: 27
- Language: English
