Imre Tekeli (1657-1705) is a heroic figure of the Hungarian people. After the failure of the Rose Plot or the Hanging Plot, it was Imre Tekeli who continued the Hungarian people’s struggle for independence from Habsburg rule. The young count managed to unite unorganised rebel groups and organise a large-scale uprising that lasted from 1677 to 1685. Under his leadership, the rebels drove the Austrians out of the central and northeastern part of the Kingdom of Hungary (Parzium). At that time, he also ruled the Transcarpathian lands.
In 1682, he married the widow of Ferenc I Rákóczi, Ilona Zrini. At that time he was 25 years old, and she was already 39. When the Grand Vizier of Turkey, Kara Mustafa, led a 230,000-strong army, attempted to capture Vienna in 1683, Tekeli joined his forces. However, the campaign was unsuccessful. After the defeat, Tekeli was forced to leave the Parzium and retreat to Transylvania. Mukachevo Castle was soon besieged by the Austrian army, where his wife Ilona Zrini led the defence for three years.
In 1685, for refusing to sign a peace with the Austrians, Imre Tekeli was imprisoned by the Turks and sent to Istanbul.
In 1686, Imre Tökeli was released and sent with 9,000 soldiers to Hungary to fight against the Austrian army. In 1690, the Sultan granted him the title of Prince of Transylvania (he held it until 1691). However, after the defeat of the Turks in the war with the Austrians and the signing of the peace in Karlovy Vary in 1699, Imre Tekeli was forced to leave his homeland forever and move to the Ottoman Empire. He was granted the title of prince, presented with a manor in Izmit by the Sultan, and brought his wife Ilona Zrini, who had been released from Austrian captivity. It was in Izmit, together with his beloved wife Ilona Zrini, that Imre Tekeli spent the rest of his life.
