Dragut
Dragut (Turkish: Turgut Reis; 1485 – 23 June 1565) was an Ottoman corsair, naval commander, governor, and noble. Under his command, the Ottoman Empire's maritime power was extended across North Africa. Recognized for his military genius, and as being among "the most dangerous" of corsairs, Dragut has been referred to as "the greatest pirate warrior of all time", "undoubtedly the most able of all the Turkish leaders", and "the uncrowned king of the Mediterranean". He was nicknamed "the Drawn Sword of Islam". He was described by a French admiral as "a living chart of the Mediterranean, skillful enough on land to be compared to the finest generals of the time" and that "no one was more worthy than he to bear the name of king". Hayreddin Barbarossa, who was his mentor, stated that Dragut was ahead of him "both in fishing and bravery".
Dragut | |
|---|---|
Monument to Turgut Reis in Istanbul depicted with palm resting on globe | |
| Native name | Turgut Reis, "Torghoud" |
| Nickname(s) | Dragut Rais, Darghouth Arabic: درغوث Italian: Dragura |
| Born | 1485 Karatoprak, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 23 June 1565 (aged 79–80) Malta (Siege of Malta) |
| Buried | Sidi Darghut Mosque, Tripoli, Libya |
| Allegiance | Ottoman Empire |
| Service/ | Ottoman Navy |
| Years of service | c. 1500–1565 |
| Rank | Admiral, Governor-general, Pasha |
| Commands held | Commander-in-Chief of Ottoman Naval Forces in the Mediterranean (Beylerbey) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Preveza (1538) Sack of Cullera (1550) Invasion of Gozo (1551) Siege of Tripoli (1551) Battle of Ponza (1552) Invasion of Corsica (1553) Sack of Vieste (1554) Sack of Bastia (1555) Raid of the Balearic islands (1558) Battle of Djerba (1560) Sack of Granada (1563) Great Siege of Malta (1565) |
In addition to serving as Admiral and Corsair in the Ottoman Empire's Navy under Suleiman the Magnificent, Dragut was also appointed Bey of Algiers and Djerba, Beylerbey of the Mediterranean, as well as Bey, and subsequently Pasha, of Tripoli. While serving as Pasha of Tripoli, Dragut constructed great feats in the city, making it one of the most impressive to behold along all the North African Coast.