Mehmed Şakir Paşa

Mehmed Şakir Paşa, originally from Arapkir, entered the Military Academy after his idadi education and graduated in 1868 as a staff captain.

He was sent to Paris to complete his studies. After returning to Istanbul, he rose through the military ranks, becoming major, mirliva, or brigadier general, and ferik, or lieutenant general, before reaching the rank of müşir in 1896. Müşir was one of the highest ranks in the Ottoman military hierarchy and corresponds to the level of marshal.

One of the Paşa’s most notable duties was serving as mihmandar, or official host, during German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Ottoman lands in 1898. For the journey that extended from Istanbul to Syria, Lebanon and Jerusalem, 127 Ottoman civil and military officials were assigned, and Mehmed Şakir Paşa was placed at the head of this delegation. During this journey, Şakir Paşa also wrote a diary describing the visits to Syria, Lebanon and Jerusalem to be presented to Abdülhamid II.

Mehmed Şakir Paşa, who was sent to Germany several times by Abdülhamid II, also took part in Ottoman-German diplomatic contacts. He was the person who presented the Order of the House of Osman to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary.

Mehmed Şakir Paşa’s family also left a mark on Ottoman and Republican military history. His son Cevat Çobanlı Paşa was trained at the War School and the War Academy and served as Commander of the Fortified Zone of the Dardanelles, Minister of War and Chief of the General Staff.

Mehmed Şakir Paşa died on 28 December 1904 and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.