Millî Mücadele Döneminde Bitlis

Abstract

Bitlis, which was occupied by the Russians during World War I, was destroyed by Armenian gangs who acted with the Russians, and the people were exposed to massacres, which forced them to migrate in order to survive. The XVI Corps under the command of Mustafa Kemal Pasha rescued Bitlis from Russian occupation on August 8, 1916, but the city could not return to its former state for a long time due to the devastation it had experienced during the occupation. Article 24 of the Mudros Armistice Agreement raised the possibility of the future of Vilâyât-i Sitte (the Six Provinces) being jeopardized, and the idea emerged that Bitlis, which was located within these provinces, would be given to the Armenians. The people quickly formed national defense organizations in order to counter this imposed decision. The Defense of Rights Society established in Bitlis supported the national idea against separatist movements in their region, by participating in the Erzurum and Sivas congresses. Both tribal leaders and Bitlis people did not approve the British who supported separatist movements in the region, and thus, rendered the activities of the Kurdish National Society futile. Bitlis, which provided full support to the National Struggle, elected people who were in favor of the defense of law and sent them to the Grand National Assembly after it was opened. In addition to reacting against the occupations, the people of Bitlis also conveyed their congratulations to the appropriate places following victories. The Sanjaks of Muş and Siirt, which were attached to the province at that time, will be treated as separate provinces. In this study, military, political, economic, and social events between 1918-1922 in the Bitlis Sanjak (including Center, Ahlat, Mutki, and Hizan districts) will be analyzed in light of archival documents and sources of that period.