Pasha

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This article discusses the rank/title used in the Ottoman Empire. For other uses see pasha (disambiguation)

Pasha (or pascha, bashaw; Turkish: paşa) originally from Persian padshah or padeshah meaning "king") was a high rank in the Ottoman Empire political system, typically granted to governors and generals. As an honorary title, "Pasha" is roughly equivalent to "Sir".

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Linguistics

Etymologists variously derive the word pasha from the Persian padshah, Turkish padishah, equivalent to "king" or "emperor" (well above his station, though: used for the Great Sultan himself), and from the Turkish bash (in some dialects pash), a "head", "chief", etc. (more likely for an officer).

Old Turkish had no fixed distinction between /b/ and /p/. As first used in western Europe the title appeared in writing with the initial "b". The English forms bashaw, bassaw, bucha, etc., general in the 16th and 17th century, derive through the medieval Latin and Italian word bass.

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Role in Ottoman political system

The Ottoman sultan of Turkey and (by delegation) the viceroyal khedive of Egypt had the right to bestow the title of Pasha. The title appears, originally, to have applied exclusively to military commanders, but subsequently it could distinguish any high official, and also unofficial persons whom the court desired to honour.

It was part of the official style of the Kapudan pasha (Great admiral of the entire Ottoman fleet)

Pashas ranked above beys and Aghas, but below khedives and viziers. Three grades of Pasha existed, distinguished by the number of yak- or horse-tails (three, two and one respectively; a symbol of Mongol tradition) or peacock tails, which the bearer was entitled to display on standard as symbol of military authority when on campaign. Only the Sultan himself was entitle to four tails, as sovereign commander in chief.

The following military ranks entitled to the style pasha (lower ranks were styled Bey or merely Effendi):

  • The Vizier-i-Azam (Grand Vizier, the prime minister, but also often taking the field as Generalissimo instead of the Great Sultan)
  • Mushir (Field marshall)
  • Ferik (army Lieutenant-general or navy Vice-admiral)
  • Lewa=Liva (major general or Rear-admiral)
  • The Kizlar Agha (chief black eunuch, the highest officer in Topkapi seraglio; three tails, as commander of the baltaci corps (halberdiers in the imperial army)

The same was true for Istanbul's Shaikh ul-islam, the highest clergyman, of cabinet rank

If a Pasha governed a provincial territories it could after him be called pashaluk, besides the administrative term, such as eyalet. Both Beylerbeyis (governors-general) and Valis (the most common type of Governor) were entitled to the style of Pasha (typically with two tails). The word pashalik designates any province or other jurisdiction of a pasha.

Ottoman authorities conferred the title upon both Muslims and Christian without distinction. The also frequently gave it to foreigners in the service of the Turks or of the Egyptians, e.g. *Hobart Pasha.

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Honorific

In usage, the title followed the given name. Although the word serves as a non-hereditary title, English-speakers have commonly used pasha as if it formed part of a personal name, as for instance in Ibrahim Pasha or Emin Pasha, similar to the practice refering to a British Peer as Lord X since in both cases it substitutes for a more precise rank title.

  • The sons of a Pasha were styled Pashazada, which means just that
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List of Notable pashas

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See also

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Sources and references

de:Pascha (Titel) es:Paxá eo:Paŝao la:Bassa mk:Паша hu:Pasa nl:Pasja ja:パシャ pt:Paxá sv:Pascha

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