Yahya Dede Paşa

Yahya Dede Paşa, whose date of birth could not be determined, was an Ottoman provincial administrator belonging to the circle of Georgia’s Atabeg dynasty. Sources state that he descended from the Ahıska/Çıldır Atabegs, and this family connection is especially emphasized on his gravestone.

During the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878, he served as district governor of Ardanuç and at the same time rendered military service as commander of the local Asâkir-i Muâvene battalion.

After the region was ceded to Russia following the war, he served in various sanjaks under Ottoman administration, including İçel, Mardin, Maraş, Sinop, Teke, Hamidabad and Urfa.

Yahya Dede Paşa’s governorship of Maraş also stands out in his provincial administration. In 1884, he encouraged the grafting of menengiç trees with pistachio in Maraş; this practice created an important source of income in the region.

Yahya Dede Paşa also held the rank of Rumelian Beylerbeyi. This rank had a high degree in the Ottoman ceremonial order and was granted only to important statesmen.

Known as an administrator loved and praised among the people for his good character, Yahya Dede Paşa died on 27 Jumada al-Akhir 1318 (22 October 1900) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.