Mehmed Kapetanović | |
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| 2ndMayor of Sarajevo | |
| In office 1893 – April 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Mustafa Fadilpašić |
| Succeeded by | Nezir Škaljić |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mehmed Kapetanović (1839-12-19)19 December 1839 |
| Died | 29 July 1902(1902-07-29) (aged 62) |
| Nationality | Bosniak |
Mehmed-beg Kapetanović Ljubušak (19 December 1839 – 29 July 1902)[1] was aBosnian writer and public official.[2]
The Kapetanović family originates from one of the branches of theCroatCatholic noble family of Cvitković-Zdilar fromImotski. His paternal ancestor Jozo Cvitković was involved in an uprising there and escaped toLjubuški, where he converted to Islam and becameSulejman Bey Kapetanović. He briefly served as the replacement for the vizier of Bosnia afterNamik Pasha was expelled and replaced byIbrahim Pasha in 1831.[3]
Kapetanović's mother came from the notableAtlagić noble family of Livno, which produced severalpashas and military commanders. From a young age, he studiedTurkish,Arabic, andPersian, initially at amekteb-i rüşdiye inMostar, later deepening his knowledge under the scholar Mehmed ef. Krehić in Ljubuški.
At the age of 20, he became a member of theMedžlisi idare (administrative council) in his hometown. Shortly after, he was sent by his father to Grahovac as part of the Ottoman army under Çerkes Husein Pasha. During the Herzegovinian uprisings, he led local citizens and served for several months on the Montenegrin border under Derviš Pasha Lovčali. For his service, he was awarded a gold- and silver-adorned sword and a medal for bravery by theSultan.[4]
Mehmed Kapetanović attended themadrasa inLjubuški and studied oriental languages. Kapetanović arrived in Sarajevo in 1878, where he became the mayor in 1893, holding the office until declining health forced him to resign in 1899. He died in Sarajevo in 1902.
During the late 19th century, Kapetanović actively collected Bosniak folk treasures in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and neighbouring regions.He published several books, the most famous beingNarodno blago (English: "The National Wealth") from 1887. In 1891, Kapetanović founded the influential political journalBošnjak ("Bosniak"), which gathered several Bosniak intellectuals of its time.
Kapetanović became themayor of Sarajevo in 1893 following the 1892 death of the first mayorMustafa Fadilpašić. The most significant project during Kapetanović's governance was the delivery of electricity to the city. Specifically, on 1 May 1895, Sarajevo had electric lighting for the first time.[5][6][7] Until then, the street lights were oil lanterns. On that same day, Sarajevo became one of the first European cities to install electric tram-trains, replacing horse-drawn vehicles.
Kapetanović survived a stroke in July 1898. His health rapidly declined; by April 1899, he had stepped down as mayor. He died on 29 July 1902 at the age of 62. His son Riza-beg Kapetanović died 24 December 1931.
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Mayor of Sarajevo 1893–1899 | Succeeded by |
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