Ottoman Empire witnessed major events in the early of XX. century with
the end of XIX. century. Among the political and social developments in the
country during this period, the resurgence of the tribes, which had been under the
influence of Sultan II. Abdulhamid in previous periods, with the Hamidiye Cavalry
Regiments, had an important place. The rebellion of the Armenian revolts,
especially in Eastern Anatolia with the provocations of the great states, during the
First World War, the tribes carried out important tasks against the Armenian-
Russian troops. Among these tribes Hacı Musa Beg’s Huytu Tribe had an
important place. The Tribe also played an important role in defending, freeing
Bitlis from enemy occupation under the command of Mustafa Kemal Pasha.
Hacı Musa Bey who summoned by Mustafa Kemal Pasha, at the beginning
of the period of National Struggle, to the congress convened in Erzurum, but he did
not participate because he was afraid that the tribes who were hostile to him would
be evil. Although he did not attend the congress, he was elected as a member of the
Heyet-i Temsiliya. In the early years of the republic, Hacı Musa Bey, who was
claimed to have an influence in the preparation of the Sheikh Said Rebellion that
erupted in the east, was also among the notables of the region he placed in Western
Anatolia due to security measures.
Keywords: Bitlis, Tribe, Hacı Musa Bey, Mustafa Kemal Pasha.