From Mekulli Press

Albanians have stood out in history for their bravery and wisdom. Their path in advancing their careers is already well known in world historiography. In the Ottoman Empire, these Albanians made a great name for themselves. They rose to the highest peaks of power, holding the most important positions up to that of prime minister, known at the time as Grand Vizier. Through their bravery and leadership, they contributed to the expansion of the empire into territories such as Iraq, Constantinople, Anatolia, Yemen, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Crete, Crimea, and others.

Here are the Albanian Grand Viziers who were raised in the courts of the sultans, married their daughters and sisters, and excelled as prime ministers:

Gedik Ahmet Pasha
Prime Minister of the empire of Albanian origin from 1475–1479.

Daut Pasha
According to our great Sami, he was of Albanian origin and was taken captive as a child. In 1483, during the reign of Sultan Bayezid, he became Grand Vizier and successfully managed important affairs of the Ottoman state.

Haim Ahmet Pasha
Grand Vizier of Albanian origin from 1496–1514.

Ahmet Pasha Dukagjini
Grand Vizier from 1514 to 1515, from the noble Dukagjini family.

Ibrahim Pasha
Originally from Butrint (some scholars say from Parga in Chameria). As often happened at the time, the sultan took him as a child during a military expedition and raised him in the palace alongside his son. When Suleiman became sultan in 1520, he made his childhood companion Grand Vizier. He later married the sultan’s sister in a grand wedding.

Ayaz Mehmet Pasha
Grand Vizier from 1536–1539 after Ibrahim’s death. He was from Vlora, born in Vuno.

Lutfi Pasha
Served as Grand Vizier from 1539–1541. He was of Albanian origin from Vlora, taken as a child by the Ottomans.

Rustem Pasha
Grand Vizier of Albanian origin who ruled from 1544–1552 and again from 1555–1560, governing the empire for a total of 13 years.

Kara Ahmet Pasha
Taken as a child from Albanian lands and raised in the sultan’s palace, where he received education to become a capable statesman and military leader. The sultan gave him his sister in marriage, as was often done with powerful figures of the state.

Semiz Ahmet Pasha
Grand Vizier of Albanian origin during 1579–1580. He married the daughter of former Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha.

Hoxha Sinan Pasha
Served as Grand Vizier five times (1580–1582; 1584–1585; 1589–1591; 1593; 1595–1596). Born in Topojan (Luma), he was Albanian and raised in the palace. He governed Tripoli (Libya) and Damascus (Syria). He subdued Yemen, bringing the empire to the Arabian Sea, and led campaigns against Persia, Hungary, and Austria. He also reduced taxes in his homeland and built a fortress and mosque in Kaçanik.

Ferhad Pasha
Also raised in the palace and educated there. Served as Grand Vizier in 1591–1592 and 1595.

Merre Husein Pasha
Of Albanian origin, served briefly as Grand Vizier from 1601–1602.

Jemishji Hasan Pasha
According to Sami Frashëri, of Albanian origin. Served as Grand Vizier in 1602–1603.

Kuyucu Murat Pasha
Of Albanian origin, served as Grand Vizier from 1606–1611.

Nasuh Pasha
An Albanian who served as Grand Vizier from 1611–1614, a period marked by peace without major wars.

Ohrili Husein Pasha
Born near Pogradec, died in 1622. Raised in the palace, later became Janissary commander and governor of Rumelia. Served as Grand Vizier in 1621.

Hasan Pasha
Of Albanian origin, raised and educated in the palace. Became Grand Vizier in 1624.

Taban Mehmet Pasha
Grand Vizier from 1631–1637. After his service, he was imprisoned and executed, as often happened.

Mustafa Pasha Kamekeshi
Born in Vlora, entered the Ottoman army through the devshirme system. Distinguished himself and was appointed Grand Vizier by Sultan Murad IV, serving from 1637–1644.

Xhixhan Mehmet Pasha
Of Albanian origin on his father’s side and from the sultan’s family on his mother’s side. Served from 1644–1645.

Tarhuncu Mustafa Pasha
From Mati, served as Grand Vizier from 1652–1653.

Köprülü Mehmet Pasha
An Albanian from Berat, born into poverty and once worked as a cook. Though uneducated and illiterate, he became Grand Vizier (1656–1661) at age 75. He reformed the state, strengthened the army, improved the navy, defeated Venice, led campaigns in Poland, and restored order, albeit harshly.

Köprülü Fazıl Ahmet Pasha
His son, ruled from 1661–1676. Educated and less harsh, he led campaigns against Austria, conquered Crete fully, and reasserted control over Yemen.

Köprülü Fazıl Mustafa Pasha
Second son of Mehmet Köprülü. Served as Grand Vizier (1690–1691), defeating Austria and reclaiming territories like Niš and Belgrade. Known for fair treatment of non-Muslims.

Ali Pasha Arabacı
Born in Ohrid, rose through the Janissaries and became Grand Vizier (1691–1692).

Hüseyin Köprülü
From the Köprülü family, served as Grand Vizier (1697–1702).

Daltaban Mustafa Pasha
Born in Bitola, rose through military ranks and served as Grand Vizier (1702–1703).

Numan Pasha Köprülü
Grandson of Mehmet Köprülü, served in 1710.

Haxhi Halil Pasha the Albanian
From Elbasan, became Grand Vizier in 1716.

Ivaz Zade Halil Pasha
Served as Grand Vizier in 1770.

Alemdar Mustafa Pasha
An Albanian who became Grand Vizier under Sultan Mahmud II.

Memish Pasha
Served as Grand Vizier from 1808–1809.

Giritli Mustafa Nail Pasha
From Kastoria, served three times (1853, 1854, 1857).

Mehmet Ferit Pasha Vlora
Grand Vizier (1902–1908), later became Senate president and Interior Minister.

Mehmed Said Halim Pasha
Grand Vizier (1913–1917), previously Senate president and Interior Minister.

Ahmet Izzet Pasha
From Bitola, served as Grand Vizier in 1918.

Damat Ferid Pasha
The last Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire (1919–1920).

Source

(La Martine, Histoire de la Turquie)