Mehmed Zekeriya Paşa
Profile summary
Highlights
Mehmed Zekeriya Paşa, born in 1806 and of Circassian origin, was raised in his youth in the household of Koca Hüsrev Mehmed Paşa, one of the former grand viziers. Hüsrev Paşa’s mansion was an important training environment during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, where many young men were prepared for military and administrative service.
Mehmed Zekeriya Paşa entered service in the Ottoman army during the founding years of the new military order and rose through his loyalty and courage in the posts he held. The clearest turning point in his military life was the fighting on the Kars front against Russia during the Crimean War.
In the intense clashes on the Kars line in 1853-1854, he showed great courage and was wounded in the jaw during battle. Following this wound and his services, he was granted the rank of mirliva, and his military title was left to him for life by imperial decree.
Mehmed Zekeriyya Paşa, remembered with the title “Gazi,” died on 15 Jumada al-Awwal 1297 (25 April 1880) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.
Epitaph
He is the Living, the Eternal. Gazi Mehmed Zekeriya Paşa, one of the leading and courageous mirlivas of the Ottoman Sultanate, was of Circassian origin. In his youth he was raised in the household of the late Mehmed Hüsrev Paşa, one of the former grand viziers, and entered the army when the Nizam-ı Cedid was founded. He served loyally in the offices he held. In wars he showed courage and bravery with a willingness to sacrifice his life, and his rank advanced rapidly. During the war with Russia in 1270 and the fierce clashes of the siege of Kars, he displayed extraordinary valor and was wounded in the jaw during the fighting. As a reward for his loyal services, he was granted the rank of mirliva, and by imperial order his military status was left to him for life. He was a patriotic man; may his efforts be accepted in the presence of Allah. 25 April 1880.
A Fatiha for his/her soul