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Cut-out detail; background removed. Museum detail of a sword and scabbard. The inscription names Edhem Pasha and the two capture dates. It is not established as Osman Pasha’s sword.
Blade fragment

Pleven · Revival

Why did Osman Pasha delay the advance?

How did Pleven withstand three assaults?

9 scenes · 4 min · Sources · 16

StartListen

Earthworks stop repeated attacks. Then the roads bringing food are closed. A story about Osman Pasha, Russian and Romanian troops, and the difference between a battlefield and a painting of it.

Portrait of Osman Pasha, about 1890–1895; not a siege photograph.

Part 1 · Revival

The town on the roads

July 1877. Russia's army has crossed the Danube in its war against the Ottoman Empire. Ahead lies Pleven, a town of about 17,000 people according to the museum guide. Important roads pass through it. Troops based here can threaten movement along them.

On 19 July, the Ottoman commander Osman Pasha arrives. Pasha is a title for a senior Ottoman official or commander. He comes from Vidin and places his soldiers on the heights around the town. The defenders build earthworks: banks of earth that provide cover.

Listen to scene · 1

Synthetic voice · 0:33
Sources · 5
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  3. Machiel Kiel PLEVNE TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2007 · 34 · 302–303
  4. Abdülkadir Özcan PAŞA TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2007 · 34 · 182–183
  5. Abdullah frères File:GhaziOsmanPasha.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
Later map in a defender’s book. It shows no state borders and is not a modern survey.
Geographic context, without historical bordersGeographic context, without historical borders12
Geographic context, without historical borders

Part 2 · Revival

Two assaults against the earthworks

Russian troops attack on 20 July. The town stays in Ottoman hands. A second assault follows on 30 July. An assault is a direct attack to capture a position. This attempt also fails.

Around Pleven stand redoubts: separate forts protected by earth banks. Attackers must reach them under fire. The defenders hold the town. Russian commanders prepare another attack. On the map, Grivitsa lies east of Pleven. Romanian troops will also fight there in the next major assault.

Listen to scene · 2

Synthetic voice · 0:31
Sources · 4
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Frederick William von Herbert; map signed F. S. Weller, F.R.G.S.; digitised by the British Library The 4th Battle of Plevna, 10th December, 1877. Position of the troops at daybreak The Defence of Plevna, 1877. Written by One who took part in it. London: Longmans, Green & Co. · 1895 · unnumbered fold-out, scan 424
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Pleven: geographical record
  4. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Grivitsa: geographical record
Painting by Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, 1885. Artistic reconstruction, not a battle photograph.
Painted portrait by Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, 1883; later depiction.

Part 3 · Revival

The redoubt in the painting

The third assault comes on 11 and 12 September. Romania's army, led by Prince Carol I, now fights alongside Russia's. At Grivitsa, Romanian soldiers with Russian support capture a fort. Pleven itself is not taken.

The painting shows earth banks, guns and smoke. It is an artistic reconstruction. It helps us imagine the fort, but cannot prove where every soldier stood.

1 · Earth bank
This earth bank is part of the fort. The artist shows a battle, not an exact plan.
2 · Gun
A gun is painted behind the bank. Soldiers fight around it.
3 · Painted smoke
The artist adds smoke to the battle scene. This is a painting from 1885.

Listen to scene · 3

Synthetic voice · 0:25
Sources · 5
  1. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  2. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“
  3. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  4. Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky File:Zahvat grivickogo reduta.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
  5. Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky File:General Skobelev (Dimitriev-Orenburgsky).jpg Wikimedia Commons image record

Part 4 · Revival

Activity: the redoubt and the town

What do Romanian troops with Russian support achieve at Grivitsa in the third assault?

  1. They capture one fortification, but not Pleven.
  2. They capture Pleven in September.
  3. They fight without any Russian participation.
  4. They build the Panorama during the fighting.
Why is that?

The local success at Grivitsa does not break the entire defence. Pleven remains in Ottoman hands.

Correct · They capture one fortification, but not Pleven.

  1. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  2. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190

Listen to scene · 4

Synthetic voice · 0:05
Sources · 2
  1. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  2. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
Later map in a defender’s book. It shows no state borders and is not a modern survey.

Part 5 · Revival

The road that brings food

After the third failure, Russian and Romanian troops change tactics. General Eduard Totleben directs a blockade. The blockade closes roads bringing food and reinforcements.

This does not happen all at once. According to the museum guide, the ring closes completely in late October. Food in Pleven runs low. Hunger and disease weaken Osman Pasha's army. The commander must decide whether to surrender or try to lead his troops through the blockade.

Listen to scene · 5

Synthetic voice · 0:27
Sources · 3
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  3. Frederick William von Herbert; map signed F. S. Weller, F.R.G.S.; digitised by the British Library The 4th Battle of Plevna, 10th December, 1877. Position of the troops at daybreak The Defence of Plevna, 1877. Written by One who took part in it. London: Longmans, Green & Co. · 1895 · unnumbered fold-out, scan 424

Part 6 · Revival

Activity: put events in order

Put these events at Pleven in order, earliest first.

  1. Russian attacks on Pleven
  2. Fort captured at Grivitsa
  3. Supply roads closed
Why is that?

The Russian attacks fail. During the next major assault, Romanian soldiers capture a fort at Grivitsa, but not Pleven. A blockade follows and closes supply roads.

Correct order

  1. Russian attacks on Pleven
  2. Fort captured at Grivitsa
  3. Supply roads closed
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Община Плевен Историческа справка
  3. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид

Listen to scene · 6

Synthetic voice · 0:04
Sources · 3
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Община Плевен Историческа справка
  3. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
Museum detail of a sword and scabbard. The inscription names Edhem Pasha and the two capture dates. It is not established as Osman Pasha’s sword.
Print in The Illustrated London News, February 1878; artistic depiction of the breakout.
Wide archival photographic view with a join, catalogued as the surrender. The photographer and precise exposure moment are unknown; the event date does not establish the photograph date.

Part 7 · Revival

Two dates on a sword

Osman Pasha tries to lead his troops through the blockade. On 10 December his troops attack westwards, near the Vit River. The attempt is repulsed. He is wounded and surrenders.

The museum sword shown here bears two dates: 28 November and 10 December 1877. This is one day recorded in two calendars. The Julian calendar, called Old Style, then runs twelve days behind the Gregorian calendar, or New Style. This story uses New Style dates.

The inscription associates the sword with Edhem Pasha, not Osman Pasha.

1 · The name
The inscription reads “Edhem Pasha”. This is a different name from Osman Pasha.
2 · Two dates
It gives 28 November and 10 December 1877: one day in Old and New Style.
3 · Scabbard
Below the blade is the scabbard, the sword's protective sheath. This is a museum detail, not an image of the surrender.
  • Pleven · Approximate location

Listen to scene · 7

Synthetic voice · 0:35
Sources · 4
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Община Плевен Историческа справка
  3. Romanian Ministry of National Defence, MoD Press Office Ceremony dedicated to the Pleven Heroes Press release No. 504 · 2007
  4. Joe Mabel File:Plevna sword.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
Guns displayed in Skobelev Park for visitors.

Part 8 · Revival

The 115-metre canvas

The Panorama opens on 10 December 1977. Its 115-metre-long canvas depicts the September assault. Painted landscape meets a model of the terrain in front of it. The December battle appears separately: a painting with a terrain model in front of it. The Panorama helps visitors imagine the battle. The huge painting was made to remember the war. It is not a photograph of the past.

Listen to scene · 8

Synthetic voice · 0:24
Sources · 5
  1. Община Плевен Парк-музей „Ген. М. Д. Скобелев“ · 2017
  2. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“
  3. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  4. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  5. Спасимир File:Park Scobelev 03.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record

Part 9 · Revival

Activity: match

Match each commander with his role in the story.

  1. Osman Pasha · Directs the Ottoman defence of Pleven
  2. Eduard Totleben · Directs the blockade of Pleven
  3. Mikhail Skobelev · Attacks the southern redoubts
  4. Prince Carol I · Leads the Romanian army
Why is that?

The story distinguishes the defence, the blockade and the actions of individual allied commanders.

  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  3. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“

Listen to scene · 9

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 3
  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  3. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“

A new find for your collection

Pleven fell after a blockade and a failed breakout. The later Panorama depicts another moment: the September assault.

Tarnovo Constitution · TarnovoWho writes the rules in 1879?Follow another change in power.Georgi Ivanov · BaikonurInto orbit, without dockingMadara Rider · MadaraThe rider above the path

People in this story

Mikhail SkobelevEduard TotlebenCarol IEdhem PashaNikolai Dmitriev-OrenburgskyOsman PashaOttoman rule · Rulers

Sources

  1. Umut Akcakaya Battles of Pleven: A Glorious Defeat in Military History Journal of Universal History Studies · 2023 · 6 · 168–190
  2. Община Плевен Историческа справка
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Pleven: geographical record
  4. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Grivitsa: geographical record
  5. Frederick William von Herbert; map signed F. S. Weller, F.R.G.S.; digitised by the British Library The 4th Battle of Plevna, 10th December, 1877. Position of the troops at daybreak The Defence of Plevna, 1877. Written by One who took part in it. London: Longmans, Green & Co. · 1895 · unnumbered fold-out, scan 424
  6. Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky File:Zahvat grivickogo reduta.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
  7. Abdullah frères File:GhaziOsmanPasha.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
  8. Спасимир File:Park Scobelev 03.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
  9. Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky File:General Skobelev (Dimitriev-Orenburgsky).jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
  10. Joe Mabel File:Plevna sword.jpg Wikimedia Commons image record
  11. Machiel Kiel PLEVNE TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2007 · 34 · 302–303
  12. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Зали и изображения — аудиогид на Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“ Официален дигитален музеен гид
  13. Регионален военноисторически музей – Плевен Панорама „Плевенска епопея 1877 г.“
  14. Община Плевен Парк-музей „Ген. М. Д. Скобелев“ · 2017
  15. Abdülkadir Özcan PAŞA TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2007 · 34 · 182–183
  16. Romanian Ministry of National Defence, MoD Press Office Ceremony dedicated to the Pleven Heroes Press release No. 504 · 2007

Images

Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Museum detail of a sword and scabbard. The inscription names Edhem Pasha and the two capture dates. It is not established as Osman Pasha’s sword.

Open source

Full attribution

Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Museum detail of a sword and scabbard. The inscription names Edhem Pasha and the two capture dates. It is not established as Osman Pasha’s sword. Processed image.

Abdullah frères · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Portrait of Osman Pasha, about 1890–1895; not a siege photograph. Scanned and retouched by Tim Ross.

Open source

Full attribution

Abdullah frères / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Portrait of Osman Pasha, about 1890–1895; not a siege photograph. Scanned and retouched by Tim Ross. Processed image.

F. S. Weller · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons / British Library

Later map in a defender’s book. It shows no state borders and is not a modern survey. Map from 1895, Public domain. The British Library provides this collection under Public Domain Mark.

Open source

Full attribution

F. S. Weller (map); Frederick William von Herbert (book); British Library (digitisation) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Later map in a defender’s book. It shows no state borders and is not a modern survey. Map from 1895, Public domain. The British Library provides this collection under Public Domain Mark. Processed image.

Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Painting by Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, 1885. Artistic reconstruction, not a battle photograph.

Open source

Full attribution

Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Painting by Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, 1885. Artistic reconstruction, not a battle photograph. Processed image.

Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Painted portrait by Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, 1883; later depiction.

Open source

Full attribution

Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Painted portrait by Nikolai Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, 1883; later depiction. Processed image.

Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Museum detail of a sword and scabbard. The inscription names Edhem Pasha and the two capture dates. It is not established as Osman Pasha’s sword.

Open source

Full attribution

Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Museum detail of a sword and scabbard. The inscription names Edhem Pasha and the two capture dates. It is not established as Osman Pasha’s sword. Processed image.

Unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Print in The Illustrated London News, February 1878; artistic depiction of the breakout.

Open source

Full attribution

Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Print in The Illustrated London News, February 1878; artistic depiction of the breakout. Processed image.

Unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Wide archival photographic view with a join, catalogued as the surrender. The photographer and precise exposure moment are Unknown; the event date does not establish the photograph date.

Open source

Full attribution

Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Wide archival photographic view with a join, catalogued as the surrender. The photographer and precise exposure moment are Unknown; the event date does not establish the photograph date. Processed image.

Спасимир · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Later, part of the battlefield becomes Skobelev Park. It has an ossuary, a building holding remains of the dead. Issa Aga redoubt is restored. The guns are displayed in the park for visitors. The photograph does not show their positions during the battle. The model and combat history of each gun have not been established.

Open source

Full attribution

Спасимир / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Later, part of the battlefield becomes Skobelev Park. It has an ossuary, a building holding remains of the dead. Issa Aga redoubt is restored. The guns are displayed in the park for visitors. The photograph does not show their positions during the battle. The model and combat history of each gun have not been established. Processed image.

Geographic context, without historical borders

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth

Open source

Full attribution

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso