Alemdar Mustafa Pasha

Mustafa
بیراقدار مصطفی پاشا
Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire
In office
29 July 1808 – 15 November 1808
MonarchMahmud II
Preceded byÇelebi Mustafa Pasha [tr]
Succeeded byÇavuşbaşı Memiş Pasha [tr]
Personal details
Bornc.1755
Died15 November 1808(1808-11-15) (aged 57–58)
Constantinople, Ottoman Empire (modern Istanbul, Turkey)

Alemdar Mustafa Pasha (also called Bayraktar Mustafa Pasha; 1755 – 15 November 1808) was an Ottoman military commander and grand vizier.

He was born into the family of a janissary, possibly in Rusçuk (modern-day Ruse, Bulgaria), although varying information exists about his birthplace. He received the epithet bayraktar or alemdar, both meaning 'flag-bearer' and probably referring to his military rank in the janissary corps, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. After the war, he left the corps and eventually became a powerful notable and military commander in Rumelia. He became a strong supporter of Selim III's reforms and became a rallying point for opponents of the new regime after Selim's deposition in 1807. In July 1808, he took power in a military coup, replacing Sultan Mustafa IV with Mahmud II and becoming grand vizier. He attempted to revive Selim's reform program, but he himself was killed only months later in a rebellion by the janissaries.[1][2]

Alemdar Mustafa Pasha is often regarded as a pioneering figure who recognized the need for a modern army. He was instrumental in setting up the French military mission in 1796.

  1. ^ Kramers, J.H.; Bosworth, C.E. "Muṣṭafa Pas̲h̲a, Bayraḳdār". In Bearman, P.; Bianquis, Th.; Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P. (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. Retrieved 1 February 2024 – via Brill Reference Online.
  2. ^ Gradeva, Rossitsa (2009). "Alemdar Mustafa Pasha (Alemdar Bayraktar) (b. 1765-d. 1808)". In Ágoston, Gábor; Masters, Bruce Alan (eds.). Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire. New York, NY: Facts On File. pp. 29–30. ISBN 9780816062591.