Iljas Mirahori

Imrahor Ilyas Bey (Albanian: Iljaz Bej Mirahori, Turkish: İmrahorlu İlyas Bey) was an Ottoman military commander and governor of Albanian origin, who served sultan Bayezid II. He married the daughter of sultan Mehmet II and founded the town of Korçë (now Albania) in the 15th century.

He was born in Panarit, Korçë District and entered Janissary service probably during the reign of Murad II.

He was one of the most loyal subjects of the young emperor Mehmet II, and dedicated his life to the service of the Emperor against Skanderbeg and his forces. In the year 1453, Iljaz Hoxha's role in the Siege of Constantinople earned him the title Mirahor (General of Cavalry). Later he received the Mirahor Evel title (Head General). After the conquest he became the sanjak-bey of Korçë (now in Albania). Under the command of Mehmet II he founded and developed Korçë as both a cultural center and garrison city. He constructed its first mosque, the Mirahori Mosque.

The Frashëri brothers Abdul (1839-1892), Naim (1846-1900) and Sami (1850-1904) were descendants of Ilyas Bey through their mother Emine who was from Korçë. Sami Frashëri in his publications wrote about his ancestor Ilyas Bey.

Sources

• Elsie, Robert (December 1, 2000). A Dictionary of Albanian Religion, Mythology, and Folk Culture. NYU Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0814722145. Retrieved 2013-08-28.