Mahmud Şevket Paşa Tomb
About the Person:
- Mahmud Şevket Paşa was born in Baghdad and was commonly known in military circles by the nickname “Arap” (Arab). He was one of the prominent military and political figures of the Ottoman Empire. Educated at the War Academy (Harbiye) in Istanbul, he was fluent in German, French, and Arabic, taught at the War Academy, served as assistant to von der Goltz Pasha, and organized weapons procurements from Germany. He also took part in major technical projects such as the Hijaz telegraph line and authored numerous military treatises.
- He played a role in the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era in 1908 and, in 1909, led the Action Army (Hareket Ordusu) that entered Istanbul following the 31 March Incident. He was instrumental in the dethronement of Sultan Abdulhamid II and the enthronement of Sultan Mehmed V. He became Minister of War and later, following the Raid on the Sublime Porte, Grand Vizier. He secured the recapture of Edirne but this success created rivalry with Enver Pasha and the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), with whom he refused to share power.
- On 11 June 1913, he was assassinated in Istanbul. The CUP was widely believed to be behind the plot. Known for his stern, authoritarian, and cautious character, Mahmud Şevket Paşa was so independent that he was said to have kept certain state secrets even from the sultan. His most important work was ‘Osmanlı Teşkilât ve Kıyâfet-i Askeriyyesi’ (The Organization and Military Uniforms of the Ottoman Empire).
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1913
Ordered by: Ottoman Empire
Architect: Mimar Kemalettin Bey
Prominent Features:
- The tomb is a baldachin-style mausoleum (domed structure supported by columns), constructed on a square-plan elevated platform accessible by stairs on three sides. Four pointed arches supported by two columns and two pillars hold up a double-walled dome. A semi-octagonal projection covered by a semi-dome adorns the rear.
- Constructed with cut stone and marble, the central area features a monumental, richly decorated sarcophagus belonging to Mahmud Şevket Paşa. The base features Turkish triangles, and the headstone is adorned with muqarnas, rumi, palmette, and lotus motifs. Arabic inscriptions of Qur’anic verses, hadiths, and the Declaration of Faith (Kalima al-Tawhid) embellish the tomb.
- The sarcophagus’ elaborate ornamentation represents a new model for open-air tombs. It is also believed that his aide-de-camp İbrahim Halil Bey and his servant Kazım Efendi are buried here, although another name, Hilmi Bey, inscribed on the second sarcophagus creates some confusion.
- The rear projection presents a dynamic appearance with beveled corners and pointed-arch openings. Ottoman inscriptions recounting events like the liberation of Istanbul and the dethronement of Abdulhamid II decorate the structure.
- The architecture, designed by Mimar Kemalettin, is considered one of the rare examples of the National Architectural Movement’s classical baldachin form reinterpreted through a modern lens. Features like muqarnas capitals, Turkish triangles, rosettes, and richly detailed column bases make it one of the most striking monumental tombs of the era.
