Mehmed İzzet Paşa
Profile summary
Highlights
Born in Istanbul in 1827, Mehmed İzzet Paşa was one of the late Ottoman soldiers trained at the Military Academy.
İzzet Paşa rose to the rank of müşir, or marshal, and served as commander of the Hassa Army, the Fifth Army and the Sixth Army. He also briefly served as müşir of the Zabtiye.
In 1878, after the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878, when the military organization of the state was being reshaped, he was appointed serasker. Serasker was the title used after the abolition of the Janissary Corps for the highest-ranking commander of the Ottoman land forces.
In addition to his military posts, Mehmed İzzet Paşa served as governor of Diyarbekir between 1879 and 1882, and was then reappointed as commander of the Fifth Army.
The statement in his inscription that he belonged to the Naqshbandi order shows his connection with Sufi circles alongside his military identity.
Former Serasker Mehmed İzzet Paşa died on 9 Rajab 1308 (18 February 1891) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.
Epitaph
He is the Creator, the Eternal. A Fatiha for the soul of Mehmed İzzet Paşa, former Chief of the General Staff, one of the great marshals and affiliated with the Naqshbandi order, who attained Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. 18 February 1891.
A Fatiha for his/her soul