This is the story of one Georgian man called Davit Manvelashvili.He was born in the family of peasants in Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia.He was separated from his parents and brothers at the age of 5.This happened because he was kidnapped by thugs who traded with slaves.These thugs took him to the Ottoman capital-Istanbul,where he changed several masters and eventually ended up with the man called-Mustafa.He bestowed 11 year-old Davit to the governor of Iraq-Suleiman pasha the Great,who was Georgian.This governor named him Davut and send him to the islamic school-Madrassie.There he learned islamic law,Quran and oriental languages:Arabic,Ottoman Turkish and Persian.He learned all of these subjects very well and as a result,his master paid him special attention.Suleiman personally taught Davut horseriding,swordsmanship and archery.After finishing his studies Suleiman released Davut from slavery and made him free man.Davut became his official bodyguard.At the age of 27,Davut got married with Suleiman's daughter-Rabia.They had 3 sons and 1 daughter.
     In 1822,he officially became the governor of Iraq.He made Iraq flourish with irrigation channels and wells.He constructed libraries,mosques,silk factories,public bathhouses,hospitals and bridges.He also founded the very first publishing house in 1828-1829.Besides,he had extremely strong army that consisted of 100 thousand Georgian mamluk soldiers.This army was divided in 3 units among his 3 sons.In 1831,he attempted to make Iraq independent from Ottoman empire,but he failed and was captured by Ottoman forces with his family.The Ottoman sultan-Mahmud II exiled him in Bursa(City in Turkey).

     Selim and Yusuf went together towards the madrassie.Selim looked at Yusuf:


-Because every pupil that goes there,including you,will become a scholar,judge or court official in the imperial council.


-It depends on your own interest.In other words,at the final level of your Islamic education in that school,you can choose to focus on one field.


-Jurisprudence,which consists of recitation of Quran,Islamic laws and stories about Mohammad's life;Education,which focuses on learning and teaching of oriental languages,such as:Arabic,Ottoman Turkish and Persian.The third field is administration.This means,that if you choose this,you will meticulously study mathematics,astronomy,history,geography and languages I have just mentioned.This subjects are essential to be one of the provincial rulers of this empire or to become one of the members of the Ottoman imperial council.Which will be your option?What are you pondering?


-In my opinion,the third one is the most interesting.


-Oh,you want to be become Ottoman official?


-Yeah.One day,if I really become some province ruler,then I will do my best to make that place one of the most fabulous in the world!


-You really have great dreams!Good luck,my son!-Yusuf smiled at Selim wholeheartedly.


    In the meantime,father and son arrived to the school.The muderris(The madrassie teacher) and his aide(muid)were in the yard.They were waiting for everyone's arrival.It turned out,that Selim was the last pupil who arrived here.The muderris counted his apprentices and applied to all of the children:


-Dear pupils,I am your teacher.My name is Zulfikar.You can call me muderris or muderris Zulfikar.This person next to me is my aide.His name is Halil.You can call him muid Halil or simply muid.Now,follow us!


    Zulfikar and Halil went forward and the children followed them to the madrassie.Selim was walking towards the school and waving his father at the same time.Yusuf waved Selim with smiling face and then,he came out of the madrassie's yard.


Chapter 17 - Chapter 17