Principality of Bitlis

The Kurdish principality Bitlis ( Kurdish: Badlis ) existed from 1182 to 1847 and came out of the tribal federation of Rojaki ( Rozagi ). The Rojaki defeated the Georgian King David III. and captured Bitlis and Sason in the 10th century. The principality occasionally came under the rule of other rulers such as the Aq Qoyunlu (1467-1495) and the Safavids ( 1507-1514 ). After the demise of the Aq Qoyunlu the Rojakifürsten gained their independence. In 1531 the prince Sharaf Khān formed an alliance with the Safavids and in 1532 was murdered by Olama Takkalu.

The famous Kurdish historian Sharaf ud- Dīn Khān al - Bitlisi was the son of the prince Shams ud -Din and grandson of Sharaf Khān. Shams ud -Din fled under the pressure of Sultan Suleiman I to Persia and sought asylum at the court of Shah Tahmasp I.. His son Sharaf ud- Dīn was born in 1533 and grew up at the court of the Safavid. During the reign of Ismail II, he fell under suspicion and was exiled to Nakhchivan City. He fled from there to Van and was replaced by Sultan Murad III. 1583 appointed Prince of Bitlis.

The Rojakifürsten maintained their relative independence, during the long rivalry between the Ottomans and Safavids. Middle of the 17th century was Abdal Khān ruler of Bitlis. He was called by the French traveler Tavernier as the most powerful of the Kurdish princes. After Tavernier Abdal Khān was independent and did not recognize the Safavid Shah nor the Ottoman sultan. Evliya Çelebi praised Abdal Khān as a prince of the Renaissance and the Thousand Arts ( Hazārfann ).