Köprülü Mehmed Paşa

Köprülü Mehmed Pasha (, , ; or Qyprilliu, also called Mehmed Pashá Rojniku; 1575, Roshnik,– 31 October 1661, Edirne) was Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire of Albanian origin and founding patriarch of the Köprülü political dynasty. He helped rebuild the power of the empire by rooting out corruption and reorganizing the Ottoman army. As he introduced these changes, Köprülü also expanded the borders of the empire, defeating the Cossacks, the Hungarians, and most impressively, the Venetians. Köprülü's effectiveness was matched by his reputation.

Biography

Early life He was born in the village of Roshnik in the Sanjak of Berat, Albania to Albanian parents.

Rise through the imperial service He eventually rose to the rank of pasha and was appointed the beylerbey (provincial governor) of the Trebizond Eyalet in 1644.

In 1656, the political situation in the Ottoman Empire was critical. The war in Crete against the Venetians was still continuing. The Ottoman Navy under Kapudan Pasha (grand admiral) Kenan Pasha, in May 1656, was defeated by the Venetian and Maltese navy at the Battle of Dardanelles (1656) and the Venetian navy continued the blockade of the Çanakkale Straits, cutting the Ottoman army in Crete from Constantinople, the state capital. There was a political plot to unseat the reigning Sultan Mehmed IV led by important viziers including the Grand Mufti (Şeyhülislam) Hocazade Mesut Efendi. This plot was discovered, and the plotters were executed or exiled. The Valide Sultana (sultan's mother) Turhan Hatice conducted consultations and the most favored candidate for the post of Grand Vizier came out as the old and retired but experienced Köprülü Mehmed Pasha.

Köprülü was called to Istanbul, where he accepted the position of Grand Vizier on 14 September 1656. He spoke to the Valide Sultan about the terms for him to accept appointment as Grand Vizier and she agreed to the terms.

Ayazmakapi Fire In July 1660 there was a big fire in Istanbul (the Ayazmakapi Fire) causing great damage to persons and buildings, leading later to a food scarcity and plague. Köprülü Mehmed Pasha became personally involved in the reconstruction affairs. The honesty and integrity in conducting state affairs by Köprülü Mehmed Pasha is shown by an episode in this task. The burnt-out Jewish quarters from the Ayazmakapi Fire were decided to be compulsorily purchased by the state.

Death and legacy Despite his advanced age, Köprülü continued to display immense energy until the end of his life. When he fell mortally ill in the autumn of 1661, Sultan Mehmed IV visited him at his bedside. Köprülü convinced the Sultan to appoint his son, Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha, as the next Grand Vizier. He also famously provided the young Sultan with four pieces of deathbed advice: never listen to the advice of women, never appoint a minister who is too wealthy, keep the state treasury constantly full, and always keep the army on the move.

Köprülü died on 31 October 1661 in Edirne, leaving behind a highly efficient administrative machine that restored the empire's internal stability and international prestige. who built a bridge in Kadegra, that thus became Köprü, from which the family name of Mehmed (who was originally stationed there, and where he was sanjak-bey) Together they had a number of children, amongs them Köprülüzade Fazıl Ahmed Pasha, Köprülüzade Fazıl Mustafa Pasha (father of Köprülüzade Damat Numan Pasha and Köprülüzade Abdüllah Pasha) and at least two daughters, who married Abaza Siyavush Pasha and Kara Mustafa Pasha.