The first of these Ottoman viziers who was titled “grand vizier” was Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha (also known as Çandarlı Halil Pasha the Elder). The purpose in instituting the title “grand vizier” was to distinguish the holder of the sultan’s seal from other viziers. What is the role of the Grand Vizier?
What was the role of the Grand Vizier in Ottoman Empire?
In Ottoman Empire: Institutional evolution …as his chief minister, or grand vizier (sadr-ı azem). In Ottoman Empire: Internal problems …his place, the office of grand vizier was built up to become second only to the sultan in authority and revenue; the grand vizier’s authority included the right to demand and obtain absolute obedience.
What is the difference between a grand vizier and a Sultan?
But, while the grand vizier was able to stand in for the sultan in official functions,… …of the Ottoman Empire, the grand viziers became powerful, but only in the 17th century did they acquire the official residence, Bâbıâli, which became the real centre of government.
What does grand vizier under the dome mean?
The Grand Vizier giving an audience "under the dome". In the Ottoman Empire, the Grand Vizier (Turkish: Sadrazam) was the prime minister of the Ottoman sultan, with absolute power of attorney and, in principle, dismissible only by the sultan himself.
Who was the Grand Vizier of the Mughal Empire?
Qamaruddin Khan was handpicked to be the Grand Vizier of the Mughal Empire, by Asaf Jah I. He successfully repelled Baji Rao I during the Battle of Delhi (1737), and negotiated peace after the occupation of the Mughal Empire by the forces of Nader Shah.
Why is grand vizier important?
The grand vizier led all military campaigns after 1700 and served as head of the imperial council, where he and the other viziers, as the primary representatives of the sultan's authority, discussed state affairs.
Why did sultan call the vizier?
The purpose in instituting the title "grand vizier" was to distinguish the holder of the sultan's seal from other viziers.
What does grand vizier mean in history?
: the chief officer of state of a Muslim country especially during the Ottoman Empire.
What was the grand vizier in charge of?
Beginning in the 19th century, the grand viziers presided over the council of ministers, appointed by the sultan; and after 1908 they acquired the right to appoint the cabinet ministers. The title disappeared with the collapse of the empire.
What is the role of a vizier?
The vizier in ancient Egypt was the most powerful position after that of king. Known as the djat, tjat, or tjati in ancient Egyptian, a vizier was the equivalent of the modern-day prime minister of the nation who actually saw to the day-to-day operation of the government in all its aspects.
Who was the most powerful grand vizier?
Elmas Mehmed Pasha (1661 – 11 September 1697) was an Ottoman statesman who served as grand vizier from 1695 to 1697. His epithet Elmas means "diamond" in Persian and refers to his fame as a handsome man....Elmas Mehmed PashaAllegianceOttoman EmpireYears of service1695–1697RankCommander-in-Chief14 more rows
Do viziers still exist?
Yes, viziers still exist today; however, the modern term used for a vizier is prime minister. The duties and power within a bureaucratic government are the same between ancient viziers and modern prime ministers.
What is the difference between a pharaoh and a vizier?
The pharaoh appointed a chief minister called a vizier as a supervisor. The vizier ensured that taxes were collected. Working with the vizier were scribes who kept government records. These high-level employees had mastered a rare skill in ancient Egypt — they could read and write.
What is another word for vizier?
In this page you can discover 3 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for vizier, like: wazir, caliph and satrap.
Was the vizier more powerful than the pharaoh?
The vizier had more power than anyone except the pharaoh. The vizier advised the pharaoh and carried out his commands. He appointed and supervised many of the other government officials. The vizier also served as a kind of chief judge.
How do you say vizier?
Break 'vizier' down into sounds: [VI] + [ZEER] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
How do you pronounce Grand Vizier?
0:421:02How To Say Grand Vizier - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou Grand Vizier or Vizier you.MoreYou Grand Vizier or Vizier you.
What is another word for vizier?
In this page you can discover 3 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for vizier, like: wazir, caliph and satrap.
What did the vizier do in the Ottoman Empire?
In the Ottoman Empire, the Grand Vizier held the imperial seal and could convene all other viziers to attend to affairs of the state; the viziers in conference were called "Kubbealtı viziers" in reference to their meeting place, the Kubbealtı ('under the dome') in Topkapı Palace.
How do you say vizier?
Break 'vizier' down into sounds: [VI] + [ZEER] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
What was a vizier ottoman?
The grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish: Vezir-i Azam or Sadr-ı Azam (Sadrazam); Ottoman Turkish: صدر اعظم or وزیر اعظم) was the de facto prime minister of the sultan in the Ottoman Empire, with the absolute power of attorney and, in principle, removable only by the sultan himself in the classical period, ...
Who was the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire?
The Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire ( Turkish: Vezir-i Azam or Sadr-ı Azam ( Sadrazam ); Ottoman Turkish: صدر اعظم or وزیر اعظم) was the de facto prime minister of the sultan in the O ttoman Empire , with absolute power of attorney and, in principle, dismissible only by the sultan himself in the classical period, before the Tanzimat reforms, or until the 1908 Revolution. He held the imperial seal and could convene all other viziers to attend to affairs of the state in the Imperial Council; the viziers in conference were called " kubbe viziers" in reference to their meeting place, the Kubbealtı ('under-the-dome') in Topkapı Palace. His offices were located at the Sublime Porte .
What was the role of the Grand Vizier?
During the two constitutional eras, the Grand Vizier also served as the speaker of the Senate, the upper house of the bicameral Ottoman Parliament. With the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the Prime Minister of Turkey took on the roles of the former office. Grand Viziers were often replaced or resigned in rapid succession, ...
What were the Reforms seen during and after the Tanzimat?
Reforms seen during and after the Tanzimat (1838), the First Constitutional Era (1876–1878), and the Second Constitutional Era (1908–1920) further brought the office of the Grand Vizier in line with the European standard, making the incumbent the head of a Cabinet of other ministers. During the two constitutional eras, ...
How many times did the Grand Vizier change hands?
In the final 10 years of the Empire alone, the office of the Grand Vizier changed hands 13 times between 12 men ; some, such as Ahmed Izzet Pasha and Salih Hulusi Pasha, held office for less than a month.
What was the purpose of the Ottoman vizier?
The purpose in instituting the title "Grand Vizier" was to distinguish the holder of the Sultan's seal from other viziers. The initially more frequently used title of vezir-i âzam was gradually replaced by sadrazam, both meaning grand vizier in practice. Throughout Ottoman history, the grand viziers have also been termed sadr-ı âlî ('high vizier'), vekil-i mutlak ('absolute attorney'), sâhib-i devlet ('holder of the state'), serdar-ı ekrem ('gracious general'), serdar-ı azam ('grand general') and zât-ı âsafî ('vizieral person') and başnazır, literally "prime minister" in Ottoman Turkish .
Where did the Grand Viziers come from?
List of Grand Viziers. Turk, probably from Cendere, Nallıhan. Turk, from Ahi . Turk, from Cendere (or Çandar ), a village near Angora (now Ankara ); see Çandarlı family. The first vizier to hold the title "grand vizier" and also the first with a military background. Turk, of Albanian origin, from Amasya .
Where were the viziers in the Imperial Council?
He held the imperial seal and could convene all other viziers to attend to affairs of the state in the Imperial Council; the viziers in conference were called " kubbe viziers" in reference to their meeting place, the Kubbealtı ('under-the-dome') in Topkapı Palace. His offices were located at the Sublime Porte .
What custom in the Ottoman Empire mandated that a condemned grand vizier could save his neck if?
Custom in the Ottoman Empire mandated that a condemned grand vizier could save his neck if he won a sprint against his executioner. The Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, site of the deadly race run between condemned grand viziers and their executioners. (Jacqueline Moen) By Mike Dash. smithsonianmag.com.
Who was the head gardener in the Ottoman Empire?
The job of executioner was held instead by the Sultan’s bostancı basha, or head gardener—the Ottoman corps of gardeners being a sort of 5,000-strong bodyguard that, aside from cultivating the Sultan’s paradise gardens, doubled up as customs inspectors and police officers.
What was the race between the head gardener and his anticipated victim?
Instead, the condemned man and the bostancı basha took part in what was surely one of the most peculiar customs known to history: a race held between the head gardener and his anticipated victim, the result of which was, quite literally, a matter of life or death for the trembling grand vizier or chief eunuch required to undertake it .
What did the Topkapi witness?
For many years, the Topkapi itself paid mute testimony to the grand extent of Ottoman ruthlessness. In order to enter the palace, visitors had first to pass through the Imperial Gate, on either side of which were two niches where the heads of recently executed criminals were always on display.
What were the executioners of the Ottoman Empire known for?
The executioners of the Ottoman Empire were never noted for their mercy; just ask the teenage Sultan Osman II, who in May 1622 suffered an excruciating death by “compression of the testicles”–as contemporary chronicles put it–at the hands of an assassin known as Pehlivan the Oil Wrestler. There was reason for this ruthlessness, however; for much of its history (the most successful bit, in fact), the Ottoman dynasty flourished—ruling over modern Turkey, the Balkans and most of North Africa and the Middle East—thanks in part to the staggering violence it meted out to the highest and mightiest members of society.
How many executions did Selim the Grim order?
It was used with particular frequency during the reign of Sultan Selim I— Selim the Grim (1512-20)—who, in a reign of eight short years, went through seven grand viziers (the Ottoman title for a chief minister) and ordered 30,000 executions.
Where is Topkapi Palace?
A plan of the vast Topkapi Palace complex in Istanbul, from Miller's Beyond the Sublime Porte. Click to view in higher resolution. If the deposed vizier reached the Fish Market Gate before the head gardener, his sentence was commuted to mere banishment.
Overview
Examples
The term "vizier" was originally used in the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century AD. This position was later adopted by the Ottomans in the early 14th century, by the Seljuks of Anatolia. During the nascent phases of the Ottoman state, "vizier" was the only title used. The first of these Ottoman viziers who was titled "Grand Vizier" (French spelling: grand-vézir ) was Çandarlı Halil Pasha the Elder. The purpose in instituting the title "Grand Vizier" was to distinguish the holder of the sulta…
Notable fictional grand viziers
• Ahoshta Tarkaan (The Horse and His Boy)
• Iznogoud (comic series)
• Zig Zag (The Thief and the Cobbler)
• Jafar (Aladdin)
See also
• List of Grand Viziers of Persia
• List of Ottoman Grand Viziers
• List of Safavid Grand Viziers
• Sokoto Grand Vizier
Sources
• Imber, Colin (2002). The Ottoman Empire, 1300–1650: The Structure of Power. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-61387-2.