Köprülü Mehmed Pasha facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Köprülü Mehmed Pasha
Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire
In office 15 September 1656 – 31 October 1661
Monarch	Mehmed IV
Preceded by	Boynuyaralı Mehmed Pasha
Succeeded by	Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha
Personal details
Born	c. 1575 Roshnik, Sanjak of Avlona, Ottoman Empire (now Albania)
Died	31 October 1661 (aged 85-86) Edirne, Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey)
Nationality	Ottoman
Spouse	Ayşe Hatun
Relations	Köprülüzade Numan Pasha (grandson) Amcazade Köprülü Hüseyin Pasha (nephew) Kara Mustafa Pasha (son-in-law) Abaza Siyavuş Pasha (son-in-law)
Children	Köprülüzade Fazıl Ahmed Pasha Köprülüzade Fazıl Mustafa Pasha
Family	Köprülü family

Köprülü Mehmed Pasha (born around 1575, died 1661) was a very important leader in the Ottoman Empire. He became the Grand Vizier, which was like the chief minister or prime minister. He helped make the empire strong again by stopping corruption and improving the army.

Mehmed Pasha also helped the empire expand its borders. He won battles against the Cossacks, the Hungarians, and the Venetians. He was known for being very effective and a strong leader. He was also the founder of the famous Köprülü political dynasty.

Biography

Early Life and Career

Mehmed Pasha was born in a village called Roshnik in what is now Albania. His parents were Albanian.

He slowly moved up in the Ottoman government. In 1644, he became a beylerbey, which was a provincial governor. He was helped by other Albanians in the government, especially a Grand Vizier named Kemankeş Kara Mustafa Pasha.

Later, he governed other provinces like Eğri, Karaman, and Anatolia. In 1652, he briefly served as a vizier in the divan (the imperial council), but he was dismissed because of power struggles in the palace.

Becoming Grand Vizier

By 1656, the Ottoman Empire was facing big problems. There was a long war with the Venetians over Crete. The Ottoman navy had been defeated, and the Venetians were blocking important sea routes. There were also political plots against the Sultan.

The Sultan's mother, Turhan Hatice, looked for a strong leader. She chose Köprülü Mehmed Pasha, even though he was old and retired. He accepted the job of Grand Vizier on September 14, 1656.

New Powers and Reforms

When he became Grand Vizier, Köprülü Mehmed Pasha was given special powers. He could make big decisions without much interference, even from the Sultan. He reported to Turhan Sultan, who supported his plans to fix the empire.

One of his first actions was to suggest that Sultan Mehmed IV spend more time hunting and traveling. This helped the Sultan stay out of daily government affairs. Köprülü Mehmed Pasha also quickly stopped a rebellion by some cavalry troops in Constantinople in 1657. He was known for being very strict when dealing with those who opposed the state.

Military Campaigns

War with Venice

Köprülü Mehmed Pasha quickly focused on the war with Venice. He led military expeditions to break the Venetian blockade of the Dardanelles Straits. The Ottoman navy won an important battle there on July 19, 1657.

This victory allowed the Ottomans to take back some islands in the Aegean Sea, like Bozcaada and Limni. It also reopened the supply routes for the Ottoman army fighting in Crete.

War with Transylvania

In 1658, he led a successful military campaign in Transylvania. He also took over more territories in Hungary, like Yanova and Várad. By expanding into Hungary, he aimed to threaten the Austrian capital, Vienna.

Dealing with Rebellions

Köprülü Mehmed Pasha's campaigns were sometimes interrupted by rebellions. One major revolt was led by Abaza Hasan Pasha, a provincial governor. The rebels were unhappy with Köprülü Mehmed's harsh methods and wanted him removed.

However, Sultan Mehmed IV continued to support Köprülü. An army was sent to fight the rebels. Despite some early victories for the rebels, the harsh winter and low morale led them to surrender. The rebellion ended in February 1659 when the rebel leaders were killed.

The Ayazmakapi Fire

In July 1660, a huge fire broke out in Istanbul, called the Ayazmakapi Fire. It caused a lot of damage and led to food shortages and disease. Köprülü Mehmed Pasha personally helped with the city's reconstruction.

He showed great honesty in his work. For example, when parts of the Jewish quarters burned down, the state bought the land fairly to rebuild.

Death and Legacy

Köprülü Mehmed Pasha died on October 31, 1661, at the age of 85 or 86. His victories in Transylvania brought the Ottoman border closer to Austria. He is remembered for bringing stability and strength back to the Ottoman Empire during a difficult time.

Family

While working in a town called Köprü in Anatolia, Mehmed Pasha married Ayşe Hatun. Her father was a notable person who had built a bridge in the area. This bridge gave the family its famous name, Köprülü.

Mehmed Pasha and Ayşe Hatun had several children. Their sons, Köprülüzade Fazıl Ahmed Pasha and Köprülüzade Fazıl Mustafa Pasha, also became important figures in the Ottoman Empire. They also had at least two daughters who married other important officials.

See also

• Köprülü era
• Köprülü family
• List of Ottoman grand viziers