Şahkulu

Şahkulu (; 1500–1511), also known as Şahkulu Baba, or Karabıyıkoğlu was the leader of the pro-Shia and pro-Safavid uprising in Anatolia – the Şahkulu Rebellion – directed against the Ottoman Empire in 1511. He was viewed as a Messiah and Prophet by his followers. His death in battle signified the end of the uprising.

Early life His father was Hasan Halife, who served Shaykh Haydar, father of Ismail I, that became his representative (halife) to persuade the population of Teke region.

Şahkulu was a member of the Turkmen Tekkelu tribe.

Rebellion Being inspired by Safavid missionaries, the Turkmens living on Ottoman soil, "as far west as Konya", were mobilized in a "fervent messianic movement", led by Şahkulu. Şahkulu and his followers tried to "replicate" the same type of revolt led by Ismail I several years earlier, "perhaps in anticipation of a union with the Safavids". Şahkulu also worked as the chief of the Royal Ottoman Company of Designers in Istanbul in the early 16th century. His army burned Sunni mosques and Qurans, raped the natives, killed women and children, and sacked several Ottoman towns.

Aftermath Şahkulu was killed in 1511, and the pro-Safavid movement was "halted temporarily". The Ottomans beheaded and then burned Sahkulu's body.

Shahkulu is also featured in the board game Assassin's Creed: Arena, released on 26 February 2014.