Mehmed Rushdi Pasha
Mehmed Rushdi Pasha (1811–1882) was an Ottoman reformist statesman who served as Grand Vizier (the empire’s top minister) five times. He was a strong supporter of the Tanzimat reforms, which aimed to modernize the Ottoman Empire.
Born in Ayancık to a poor boatman, Rushdi Pasha moved with his family to Istanbul when he was about three. He learned to read and write well, mastered French, and began his career as a translator of military texts. His skill with Western ideas helped him become a valued official, and he later studied further in Europe.
In the military, he rose to the rank of colonel in 1839 and became a leader in the military council by 1843. He stayed in the military until resigning in 1853. He briefly declined several government posts, including the governorship of Damascus.
Rushdi Pasha’s first term as Grand Vizier began on 24 December 1859 under Sultan Abdulmecid. His time in office was marked by internal conflicts and strong reformist views, which could both help and hinder his leadership. He left the post on 28 May 1860. He then made a few European European trips before returning to the position multiple times: a second term from 1866 to 1867, a short third term in 1872, and a fourth term starting 12 May 1876 that lasted only until 30 May 1876 amid ongoing unrest and political shifts.
His fifth and final term began on 28 May 1878. He immediately began investigating the death of Sultan Abdulaziz, but was removed from office after about a week and was later tried and exiled for life. Rushdi Pasha died in exile on 27 March 1882 in Manisa and was buried in the garden of Hatuniye Mosque.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 12:50 (CET).