Muhtesem Yuzyil Мелодия вечной любви Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha 1493--15 March 1536

There is no other Pasha in the whole of the Ottoman empires history that is as controversial, tragic and powerful like Pargali Ibrahim Pasha. He ruled the empire as first vezir for 12 years, 8 months and 18 days, alongside being governor of Rumelia, commander in chief, brother in law of the Sultan, and yes even Sultan, he went as far as calling himself a while 'Serasker Sultan'

Sultan Suleyman met him while he was a prince in the provinces, he studies with Suleyman the lawgiver, he became a poet and scholar in his own right. Ibrahim was in Suleymans favor and married the sister of Suleyman, Hatice Sultan. So why was Pargali Ibrahim Pasha so controversial?

Ibrahim was firstly a adoring Suleyman, he drank the water Sultan Suleyman washed his feets with. secondly as arrogant to say that his will is more important that of the Sultan, that he rules the empire inspite of the sultan. While Pargali Ibrahim Pasha was the son of a Greek Orthodox Fisherman, he became the most powerful Vizir of the Ottoman Empire, he designed his Palace with amazing luxury, spending more than the Sultan, thirdly, the Sultan loved him because he was talented as a poet and playing the violin.

The first thing to impress Sultan Suleyman was Pargali playing the violin. When Ibrahim was 14 and still a slave, and Suleyman a prince and the governor of Manisa they met while Suleyman was returning from hunting and heard someone playing the violin. Ibrahim is bought by a widow who tried to save Ibrahim from the slave market and educated him well. Ibrahim impresses Suleyman with his character and talents, whereupon Suleyman offers him to join him. From that point on they are inseperable. One becomes Sultan, the other becomes vizir. Sultan Suleyman and Pargali Ibrahim Pasha remain close friends until he becomes a victim of Hurrems schemes against the Pasha.

Hurrems motive for trying to get Ibrahim Pasha killed was because Ibrahim supported the son of Mahidevran, Mustafa. Hurrem wanted one of her own sons to become Sultan after Suleyman had died. Being the most powerful man ruling the empire after Suleyman, he would have a great influence in who would take the throne. After a series of events happened where Ibrahim Pasha fell out of Suleymans favor like executing Iskender Pasha, calling himself Sultan, turning up drunk on a meeting, being disrespectful against the Quran, muslim holy book, some of the things after which Sultan Suleyman decided to execute Pargali Ibrahim Pasha, alongside the schemes of Hurrem and her son in law Rustem Pasha, the husband of Mihrimah Sultan. If we consider that Sultan Suleyman killed his own son, prince Mustafa because of what Hurrem made him believe, the execution of his best friend and brother in law is not shocking.

Finally one night...

Ibrahim Pasha was invited to the Palace to join Suleyman during dinner in Ramadan. The Sultan and vizir were having fun, discussing state affairs and complementing each other. They sat next to each other and waited until they could eat. Everything seemed fine and Ibrahim Pasha had no idea what was awaiting him. Sultan Suleyman ordered him to take the violin and play the songs he liked the most, the meeting was untill deep in the night.
When Ibrahim wanted to leave, Suleyman said to him that he should stay in the palace, wake up early and talk about preparing for the muslim holiday. Sultan Suleyman retreated to his Harem, meeting Hurrem and Ibrahim went to his room. Inspite of some sources suggesting Ibrahims room was next to Suleymans room, Ibrahims room was probably next to the rooms of the princes. Eating and drinking, having a long conversation and being tired, Ibrahim fell quickly in a deep sleep after entering his room.

At the corridors where Ibrahim slept was a deadly silence. Three executioners appeared before Ibrahims door and entered his room, nearing his bed, they put a rope on the neck of the sleeping Pasha and tried to strangle him, however Ibrahim Pasha woke up and fought the executioners. While others sources say that after he knew what was coming he accepted his fate, while others say that he just asked for some time to write a farewell letter to Sultan Suleyman. The details of what happened before his death is not known. However Beloved Ibrahim Pasha became Bekilled Ibrahim Pasha.

Sound:Muhtesem Yuzyil - Ardindan
Muhtesem Yuzyil - Tema Armin -Bali Bei