Abdülkerim Paşa

Abdülkerim Paşa was born in 1839 and belonged to the Bursalı Said Efendizâde family. Trained at the Military Academy, he rose in the cavalry branch to the rank of ferik. In the late Ottoman military organization, ferik was a high rank close to the modern level of lieutenant general.

Abdülkerim Paşa’s career passed through sensitive military and administrative regions of the empire. He served as governor and commander in Kandiye, and later held posts such as inspector of Tripolitania, governor and commander of Shkodra, and governor of Manastır.

During his service in Shkodra, he worked to prevent blood feuds, one of the most difficult social problems of the Albanian lands. In 1891 he issued a proclamation addressed to the scholars, notables and public, and obtained written undertakings from tribal chiefs for the abolition of this custom.

His governorship of Manastır also left a mark on the city’s educational and cultural life. The library he founded there in 1898 initially contained 252 books; by 1903 this number had grown to 883 books, including 318 manuscripts and 565 printed works.

Abdülkerim Paşa later served as a member of the Military Inspection Commission and retired after long years of service as a cavalry ferik. He died on Monday, 24 Dhu al-Hijja 1331, corresponding to 24 November 1913, and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.