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Mehmed Emin Ali PasaStatesman of the Ottoman Empire
Country:
 Turkey |
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Biography of Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha
Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha (Turkish: Mehmed Emin Âli Paşa) was a prominent statesman of the Ottoman Empire. He was born in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1815 and passed away on September 7, 1871.
Early Career
Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha began his diplomatic career at a young age due to his excellent command of the French language. In 1833, he joined the translation bureau of the Ottoman Empire. From 1834 to 1836, he served as a secretary for the Divan, and later as a secretary at the Ottoman Embassy in Vienna.
Ministerial Roles
In 1840, Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha temporarily assumed the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 1841 to 1844, he served as the Ottoman Ambassador to London, succeeding Mustafa Reshid Pasha as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1846. In 1852, he briefly held the position of Grand Vizier before resigning. During this time, he also governed the provinces of Smyrna and Brusa. In 1854, he was appointed as the President of the newly established Legislative Council, marking the beginning of the Tanzimat era of reforms in the Ottoman Empire. He played a significant role in the authorship of the Hatt-i Humayun, which called for equality among religions and nationalities, as advocated by foreign powers. From 1855 onwards, he served as the Grand Vizier on several occasions.
Paris Congress and Later Years
In 1856, as the Ottoman Grand Vizier, Ali Pasha represented the Porte at the Paris Congress, where he signed a treaty that ended the Crimean War. However, his failure to satisfy both foreign powers and Sultan Abdul-Mejid with the promised reforms resulted in a diminished role for him. It was not until the reign of Sultan Abdul-Aziz that Ali Pasha regained prominence. On June 7, 1861, he was once again appointed as the Grand Vizier and alternated in influence with his ally Fuad Pasha. Their moderation and resilience helped prevent foreign intervention in the affairs of the revolting island of Crete and compelled Greece to maintain peace in 1866.
Legacy
One of Ali Pasha's most successful achievements was in 1869, when he compelled the vice-king of Egypt to recognize the suzerainty of the Porte. He was a fervent proponent of Western-style reforms in the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha passed away in Erenkeni, Asia Minor, on September 7, 1871.
