Süleymani Principality, established in 1514 by Seyyid Ahmed Bey Ruzeki, was a Kurdish principality.[1] that governed the regions of Silvan and Batman. It maintained a significant political presence within the Ottoman sphere, exerting influence over the socio-political landscape of the era. However, with the Tanzimat reforms of 1839, the Süleymani Principality lost its administrative autonomy, marking the end of its era as an independent entity.
Shah Ismail captured the entire Diyarbakir region in 1507 and appointed Khan Muhammad Ustajlu as its governor. The defeat at the Battle of Chaldiran led to uprisings against the Iranians in Eastern Anatolia. Seizing this opportunity, the Kurdish leader Seyyid Ahmed Bey Ruzeki captured Meyyafarikin. In 1514, due to the support of the Suleymanis for Ottomans in the Battle of Koçhisar, the Ottoman Empire recognized the principality.The Suleymani Principality was annexed to the Ottoman Empire in 1520 following the Battle of Koçhisar. The principality's center, Meyyafarikin (modern-day Silvan) and Batman, was governed by the Suleymani Principality. The principality recognized Ottoman sovereignty while remaining semi-autonomous. During its affiliation with the Ottoman Empire, the Suleymani Principality operated independently in its internal affairs and contributed to the region's economic and cultural development.By the late 16th century, many tribes from this region migrated to the Bayazıd area and established the Principality of Bayazıd, where they were also descendants of Kara Behlül Bey.[2] In 1839, the Suleymani Principality lost its status as part of the Ottoman Empire's centralization policies and was directly incorporated into the Ottoman administration. From that time on, the region was included in Ottoman Empire's provincial system, and the principality's rulers were exiled to Bulgaria.[3]
One of the most significant legacies of the Süleymani Principality is the Kara Behlül Bey Mosque. This mosque reflects the architectural and cultural richness of the principality's era. Kara Behlül Bey, a prominent figure of the Süleymani Principality, is commemorated through this mosque, which stands as a testament to the principality's historical and cultural impact in the region.