Sanjak of Durrës

The Sanjak of Durrës (Ottoman Turkish: سنجاق دراج, Sancağı-i Dıraç or Draç, or لواء دراج, Livâ-i Dıraç or Draç; Albanian: Sanxhaku i Durrësit) was one of the sanjaks of the Ottoman Empire. It was named for its capital Durrës and was also known as the Sanjak of Durazzo from its capital's Italian name. The sanjak was composed of the kazas of Durrës, Tirana, Shijak, Kavajë, and Krujë. The Sanjak of Durrës formed the southern half of the Vilayet of Scutari. The northern half was the Sanjak of Scutari. Durrës Sanjak also bordered the sanjaks of Manastir and Dibra to its northeast and the sanjak of Elbasan to the east and south. Its western border was the Adriatic Sea. Its terrain is generally flat and plain. Only the eastern parts of the kazas of Tirana and Kavajë were mountainous.

The fortress of Durrës would be among the last castles in Albanian territory to fall into the hands of the Ottomans in the middle of 1501 and the city itself emerged highly devastated by the numerous clashes over the previous century. Under Ottoman rule, the city would never regain the former prosperity it had enjoyed since antiquity. A partial revival in terms of economic and strategic importance is recorded during the period of the autonomous and de facto independent Albanian-ruled Pashalik of Scutari.

Durrës would be established as a sanjak only in 1880 after a reform that followed the Russo-Turkish War and the Congress of Berlin. As a sanjak, it would be under the jurisdiction of the Scutari vilayet. As a third level administrative body, it would initially have four kazas since Krujë would be transferred to the Sanjak of Durrës jurisdiction only in 1903.

After the Young Turk Revolution of July 1908 which restored in force the liberal constitution of 1876 and the re-establishment of the parliament which had been in force for only two years (1876-1878), the Sanjak of Durrës would be assigned only one representative to be elected in all of constituent kazas. Essad Pasha, a member of the prominent Toptani family, would be elected MP in both elections held during the existence of the sanjak (1908 and 1912). The Toptanis during the 19th century and early 20th century were the most important family in terms of influence, wealth and power. Its members would be catalysts and participants in many important events of both the Ottoman Empire and later Independent Albania.

With the beginning of the First Balkan War in 1912, all the constituent kazas declared independence, joining the newly Albanian state. By the end of November 1912, Serbian forces occupied without resistance most of the Sanjak of Durrës under the pretext that they were occupying Ottoman territories. However, this invasion did not last long as the Great Powers never recognized this move as legitimate and later intervened, forcing the Serbian army to leave Albanian territories.