A period of civil war had ensued…

A period of civil war had ensued in Ottoman Libya, with no ruler able to hold office for more than a year.

Ahmed Karamanli, a Janissary and popular cavalry officer, murders the Ottoman governor and seizes the throne in 1711.

After persuading the Ottomans to recognize him as governor, Ahmed establishes himself as pasha and makes his post hereditary.

Though Tripoli continues to pay nominal tribute to the Ottoman padishah, it acts otherwise as an independent kingdom.

The Karamanli family directs the piracy that maintains Libyan prosperity.