’A fearful rivalry in despotism and destruction then began between the two.  They might be compared to the reapers in Homer, cutting down the corn in all directions.  But the vassal had been long engaged in a process of innovation.  In spite of the opposition of his Janissaries, he had accomplished his purpose of establishing regular regiments, clothed and disciplined after the European system.’  The fact that it was these troops which, after so many fruitless attempts, at last conquered Greece, made a profound impression on the Sultan.  He reverted to the ideas of Selim and Bairaktar, and the establishment of regular troops seemed to him the only salvation of his empire.  Therefore, on May 28, 1826, in a solemn sitting of his Council of State, at which the Commissioner who had lately been in Ibrahim’s camp was present, was pronounced the ‘fetwah,’ that, ’In order to defend God’s word and counteract the superiority of the unbelievers, the Moslems, too, would submit to subordination, and learn military manoeuvres.’  The subversion of ancient privileges, then, was the fundamental basis upon which his reforms rested, and to this the destruction of the Janissaries put the finishing touch.

If Mahmoud found difficulty in carrying out his plans at Stamboul, how much more hard must they have been to accomplish in the provinces; and of these, as I have before said, Bosnia was the most strongly imbued with a spirit of independent feudalism.

In Bosnia, therefore, as was anticipated, the greatest resistance to the innovation was experienced.

Upon the death of Jelaludin, Hadji Mustapha had been appointed Vizier, a man of small capacity, and little suited to those stormy times.

He, and the six commissioners who had been sent with him from Constantinople, were driven out, and compelled to take refuge in Servia, whence they returned to Constantinople.

Again the dominion of the Sultan in these provinces appeared to hang upon a slender thread; and indeed it was only saved by the sagacity of a single man.

Upon the ejection of Hadji Mustapha, Abdurahim, the Pacha of Belgrade, was appointed Vizier of Bosnia.  Gifted with great penetration and ability for intrigue, he contrived to win over many of the native chieftains, while he worked upon the jealousy entertained by the Prince of Servia for the Bosnian nobles, and thus succeeded in raising a small army, with which he took the initiative in hostilities.  Ranke tells us:  ’He was fortunate enough to secure the assistance of the Kapetan Vidaitch of Svornik.  Svornik is regarded as the key of Bosnia.  It seems that the Agas of Serayevo had already conceived some suspicion of Vidaitch, for they were themselves about to take possession of the place.  But Abdurahim anticipated them, and Vidaitch admitted him into the fortress.’

A paramount advantage was gained by this.  Abdurahim now felt strong enough to speak in a decisive tone in the Bujurdi, in which he announced his arrival.