1. Malkochoglu Bali Bey was born around 1502. The Malkochoglu clan is one of the oldest clans of the Ottoman Empire. From generation to generation, men belonging to him became prominent warriors or politicians.
Bali Bey's mother is the daughter of Sultan Bayezid II and the sister of Sultan Selim the Terrible.
Malkochoglu Bali Bey and Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent were cousins.
The guy had everything since childhood. He received an excellent education and at the age of 18 he was the sanjakbey of Semendir. This is a city in present-day Serbia, which at that time was part of the possessions of the Ottoman Empire.
2. In 1521, Bali Bey takes part in the battle for Belgrade and, after its capture, becomes the beylerbey of Belgrade and Bosna.
After the conquest of Belgrade, he takes part in the Battle of Mohacs, where he attracts the attention of Sultan Suleiman and receives his order to coordinate the construction of a pontoon bridge.
This grandiose battle took place in August 1526 in the territory of Southern Hungary on the right bank of the Danube between the army of King Lajos II of Hungary and the army of the Ottoman Empire.
The army of King Lajos II suffered a crushing defeat. Retreating, the Hungarian king drowned, and his soldiers fell under the blows of the Ottoman guards. As a result of this battle, the territory of Hungary came under the complete control of the Ottoman Empire.
The Battle of Mohacs becomes the impetus for the career growth of the young commander Malkochoglu Bali Bey. He is appointed commander of the right wing of the Ottoman army and the second beylerbey of Budapest.
Subsequently, Bali Bey moved to the capital and actively participated in palace life. He becomes the guardian of the Sultan's quarters, and later, enters the divan, becoming one of the viziers of the empire.
3. In the series "The Magnificent Century" we were shown Bali Bey in the form of a fatal handsome man who breaks the hearts of women. The daughter of Sultan Suleiman Mihrimah could not resist his charisma. Did they have a relationship in real life? No! No love relationship could connect them.
First: Bali Bey was married. He married back in 1522 with his cousin, the granddaughter of Sultan Bayezid II, whose name has not been preserved in history. Divorce from the Sultana was practically impossible and was equated with high treason. And there was no reason to divorce. The couple lived in love and harmony and raised their son.
Secondly: Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska had her own plans for her daughter, whom she wanted to marry to a man of status and influence, and most importantly, subject to her. Such a person was Rustem Pasha - a faithful servant and comrade-in-arms in all the plans of the great Haseka Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska.
And she had practically no influence on Bali Bey. He was devoted to only one Sultan Suleiman.
4. Unfortunately, not a single document has yet been found that sheds light on the relationship between Bali Bey and Ibrahim Pasha.
They first met during the capture of Belgrade. During the Battle of Mohacs, Ibrahim Pasha, as a seraskir, led the army of the Ottoman Empire, and Malkochoglu Bali Bey was the commander of the right wing.
Definitely, they met at military councils, and Bali Bey would not have made such a successful career if he had not had mutual understanding with Ibrahim Pasha.
Perhaps Ibrahim Pasha was wary of Malkochoglu, because he felt in him a worthy opponent, fearing that he might get too close to the Sultan.
After 1526 Bali Bey:
- served as the second beylerbey of Budapest;
- moved to the capital and became the guardian of the Sultan's chambers;
- entered the sofa of Sultan Suleiman, becoming one of the viziers of the empire.
The exact dates of these three significant events in the life of Malkochoglu could not be found. But, there is an assumption that on the night of the execution of Ibrahim Pasha in 1536, Bali Bey just served as the guardian of the Sultan's chambers.
Of course, he knew about the upcoming execution, accompanied the executioners to Ibrahim's bedroom, and, most likely, stood outside the door, waiting for the outcome.
But, these are only assumptions, the correctness of which will have to be proved by historians.
I really don't want it to be so horribly true.
5. There were legends about the strength and courage of Bali Bey. The fearless commander was a skilled strategist and well versed in military affairs. He was resolute, courageous and, most importantly, infinitely devoted to the sovereign. Bali Bey never wove intrigues at court and did not seek promotion. He considered serving the Ottoman dynasty as his only duty.
Malkochoglu Bali Bey died in 1548, the cause of death remains unknown.
He was buried in the city of Bursa in the courtyard of the mosque named after him.
His work was continued by his son Mehmed Bey, who also became a great warrior and became famous for his participation in the Yemeni and Cypriot companies.