The Spahis again enjoyed the benefit of their tithes, and of their Glawnitza; and the Servians who had emigrated now resumed their former property, and could more confidently reckon on the performance of the stipulations which had been made in their favour. The possessions of the Janissaries, on the other hand, were considered as forfeited to the crown; and they themselves sought refuge in the neighbouring districts.
It could not be otherwise: only by artifice and bloodshed could the proposed measures be carried out!
It excites less surprise, then, to find that the parties who had been thus chastised, resisted ; and were supported by those who participated in their claims. The revolt of Passwan Oglu, at Widdin, which occurred at that time, proved of especial advantage to the Janissaries: though it cannot be proved with certainty that his revolt originated with them.
It appears that Osman Passwan Oglu first distinguished himself at the head of a troop of volunteers, in the war of 1788 ; and he afterwards took forcible possession of his hereditary estates, from which his father had been expelled.
There were, besides, other warriors with whom he allied himself: bands of soldiers called Krdscha- lies, who, after the peace, had been dismissed from the service of the Porte, but had no wish on that account to relinquish the trade of war. In Macedonia and Bulgaria, they rendered the country unsafe ; readily offering their services on every occasion when a pacha was engaged in dispute with the Grand Signior, or a province with its pacha; or, failing such occupation, they would plunder on their own account, and levy contributions. When they had destroyed Moscopolis (or Boscopolis), one of the principal towns of Macedonia, the other towns hastened to make terms with them by paying a sort of tribute.
It was their pride to ride along on stately horses, with trappings of gold and silver, and bearing costly arms. In their train were female slaves, Gjuwendi, in male attire, AVIIO not only served to amuse them in their hours of ease, with singing and dancing, but also followed them to battle, for the purpose of holding their horses when they fought on foot. As these troops had never any religions worship, they received all coiners, whether Christians or Mahometans. Like other soldiers, they were under the regular command of their bimbaschas, leaders of a thousand, and buljukbaschas, ollicers of inferior rank. To any one who aimed at establishing his power by force of arms they were welcome ; and he to them.
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