Turkish Sanjaks Should Return to Their Homeland
Erzurum has attracted the attention of many states throughout history with its geographical and strategic location. This city has had an important position in political, military and commercial terms in every period of history. This situation made Erzurum and its surroundings one of the important targets for Tsarist Russia before and during World War I. It is for this very reason that the Russians occupied Erzurum three times in 87 years (in July 1829, February 1878 and February 1916).
The one that caused the greatest physical destruction was their first occupation in 1829, although it lasted three months.
The Russian army, which came to Erzurum in 1829 well-prepared, brought many archaeologists, antiquities experts, historians and even writers to the city. Among these, Armenian İnciciyan stood out as a historian and Pushkin as a writer.
Thus, Erzurum’s historical assets began to be plundered. The valuables in the Twin Minarets, Yakutiye, Sultaniye, Ahmediye, Ulu Mosque and Three Tombs were looted by the Russians. The inscriptions of various structures were removed from their places. The inscription and door of the Twin Minaret Madrasa, and the marble coffin of Emir Saltuk in Three Tombs were among the works taken to Petersburg by the Russians. The inscription of the tomb of Hazrat Hasanıbasri was also stolen by the Russians during this occupation. Again during this occupation, dozens of helmets and shields made of gold, silver and bronze from the Twin Minaret Madrasa were sent to Petersburg and Moscow. The clock on the Clock Tower was removed from its place and placed on the facade of a building in Tbilisi. During the occupation, the key to the castle in the city, six flags, and some items that were the symbols of the commander-in-chief were transported to Petersburg. When they left the city after the occupation, they destroyed the Pasha Palace, the castle and many mansions, and took many historical artifacts and documents with them.
The Russians carried out similar looting and theft during their last occupation in 1916. During this occupation, many historical and cultural values of the city were destroyed by the Russians. The Russians took the 9 regimental flags they captured along with the 4 keys of the castle and the 1 flag they captured from Pasinler to their country.
The Russians also used the Turkish flags they captured for propaganda purposes. The flags were first taken to Tbilisi and exhibited to the public, and then they were taken to St. Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Tsardom, by the first Russian commander to enter Erzurum, Captain Konieff, and presented to the Russian Tsar. The flags and historical artifacts stolen from Erzurum are today in the Hermitage and Military Artillery Museums in Petersburg. In addition to the thousands of lives lost during these occupations, the loss of historical and cultural heritage has gone down in history as one of the most tragic events that Erzurum has experienced.
Ataturk University, Faculty of Letters, Department of History, Associate Professor Dr.Savaş Eğilmez
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