Ibrahim Pasha: biography of the magnificent Vizier

Ibrahim Pasha, Vizier Suleiman, whose biography became interesting to many contemporaries in the light of the series "Magnificent Century", was one of the greatest Sultan's advisers of his time. What is interesting, like the famous Roksolana-Hurrem, he had not Turkish roots at all, but was a native of Europe. Actually, he was known also under the name "Frank", which in Turkish means "European".

Ibrahim Pasha: biography of early years

The future state counselor was born in 1493 a small town in the territory of modern Greece. Most likely, he had Italian roots. Ibrahim Pasha, whose biography will later be full of brilliant victories at the highest level, spent his childhood in the family of a metallurgist. Like another well-known European in the Ottoman Yard, the young man was kidnapped at an early age by pirates, and then sold into slavery in the palace of Manissa. It should be noted that the city of Manissa according to the traditions of the Ottoman dynasty was in fact a nursery for the upbringing of future sultans. Here future heirs were brought up, here they became father's governors, passing a kind of practice in management. It was in this palace that the young slave got acquainted with his contemporary, Shehzadeh Suleiman, the Turkish prince. Two young people were soon bound by friendship, which, together with the flexible mind of Europe (And the wisdom of the Turk, if he managed to remove the conventions and at least two slaves - Ibrahim and Roksolana - to consider high qualities) led to one and the other to brilliant state successes. In 1520 Suleiman became a sultan, and Ibrahim Pasha, whose biography takes a sharp turn, is awarded the post of commander of the army of the emperor. Since by that time the European had received a very decent education, he often participated in diplomatic negotiations on the side of his sultan and often achieved success in them. Undoubted talent, he showed and as an army leader. Constant successes allowed Ibrahim to rise higher and higher up the career ladder. And soon the sultan makes him his direct adviser.

Vizier Ibrahim Pasha: biography

Roksolana's favoritism evoked envy and jealousy, and with them intrigues and intrigues from other Sultan's wives, especially Mahidevran. Similar things happened to Ibrahim. The successes of the former slave did not give rest to other high-ranking officials of the state, who themselves hoped to take those positions that were given to him. He became a favorite of Sultan Suleiman, while turning into an object of hatred from the side of the rest of the retinue. Ibrahim Pasha, whose biography numbered many deadly dangers, Even intended in 1520 to leave Constantinople, fearing for the lives of his children. However, he remained, yielding to the persuasion of Suleiman. After this, the Sultan issued an official decree that Ibrahim can not be executed or killed while he is in power. And after that, a useful European was rewarded with more and more titles, becoming the second most important person in the state and gaining enormous power. In 1524, Ibrahim the Magnificent (as he was nicknamed by analogy with the Sultan himself) took the princess, the sister of Emperor Khatija, as his wife. In the last years of his life, he has achieved several more incredibly brilliant successes. For example, in 1533 he achieved the surrender of Hungary without a single fight. Such loud victories in all spheres have completely turned the head to a magnificent vizier, and in 1536, having become insane, he proclaims himself a Seraskiri sultan. This was a direct insult to Suleiman (who took back his own oath) and led to the rapid demise of such a brilliant politician.