Preveza was protected by numerous forts, geography, and the Ottoman fleet stationed in the Ambracian Gulf. In 1820 the local garrison was reinforced by thousands of soldiers who participated in the campaign against Ali Pasha. Hursid Pasha, who was in charge of the fight against the rebellious Ottoman ruler, felt that Preveza was secure enough to bring here the members of his harem he ransomed after the fall of Tripolitsa. The presence of a strong Ottoman army impeded the Greek revolutionary efforts. The residents of Preveza distinguished themselves through the raising of funds to ransom Greeks captured in the fighting further south, especially following the fall of Missolonghi in 1826.