Sword surrendered by Edhem Pasha after the defeat at Plevna.

Sword surrendered by Edhem Pasha after the defeat at Plevna.

The Siege of Plevna or Siege of Pleven during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), saw a major struggle between the joint army of Russia and Romania  and the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish defense held up the main Russian advance southwards into Bulgaria, ensuring other great powers of the time to actively support the Ottoman cause. Eventually, superior Russian and Romanian numbers forced the garrison to capitulate.