The achievements and pivotal mistakes of the great Ottoman vizier, Rustem Pasha.

Rustem Pasha, one of the most influential grand viziers of the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, remains a mysterious and controversial figure in historical memory. His life, marked by highs and lows, intrigues and political maneuvers, continues to spark numerous debates among historians. Some view him as a petty, cowardly, and greedy intriguer, while others see him as a just and skilled politician who contributed significantly to the prosperity of the empire.

Origin and Rise to Power

Rustem Pasha was born around 1500 in the city of Sarajevo. The exact origins of the grand vizier remain a subject of discussion. According to one version, he hailed from the recently conquered Bosnian lands. Other sources suggest his Albanian or Serbian roots. Regardless of his ethnic background, Rustem demonstrated exceptional abilities and quickly climbed the ranks. He is believed to have had two brothers and a sister.

As a child, Rustem, along with his brother, went to Istanbul, where he entered the Enderun—a prestigious educational institution within the Topkapi Palace that trained personnel for the Ottoman state apparatus. At around 26 years old, Rustem joined Sultan Suleiman's army in the role of a squire during the campaign in Hungary. He distinguished himself in one of the most famous battles of the time—the Battle of Mohács, where Suleiman achieved a stunning victory.

After excelling in this battle, Rustem quickly began ascending the ranks. Initially, he was appointed as the chief equerry and later became the governor of the remote province of Teke. However, his rapid career advancement sparked envy and concern among some influential nobles, particularly the grand vizier Ibrahim Pasha. To eliminate a potential rival, Ibrahim decided to send Rustem far from the capital, appointing him as the beylerbey of Diyarbakır and then Anatolia.

Marriage to the Sultan's Daughter

Rustem managed to make a favorable impression on the sultan, so his time in the province was brief. By 1539, he was appointed the third vizier of the Divan. Around the same time, the sultan's wife, Hurrem, learned of Rustem's desire to marry Mihrimah Sultan. She was able to arrange this marriage despite attempts from Rustem's adversaries to thwart it. In particular, they spread rumors that the pasha was afflicted with leprosy, but it was ultimately proven that he was in good health.

One of the pivotal moments in Rustem Pasha's career was his marriage to the sultan's only daughter. This union not only secured him wealth and high status but also garnered the sultan's unwavering trust. Rustem Pasha became one of the most influential figures in the empire, with his word holding decisive weight in many state matters.

The wedding ceremony took place in 1539, and just a year later, Rustem became the second vizier of the Divan. He and Mihrimah had several children together, although the exact number is unknown. They certainly had a daughter named Ayşe Hümaşah and presumably a son named Osman, though it is unclear how long he lived.

It is also unknown how Rustem and Mihrimah's family life developed. The pasha was rather unattractive; descriptions indicate he was short and had a "red swollen face," resembling someone suffering from leprosy. Therefore, it is unlikely that the sultana felt great love for her husband. Nevertheless, after his death, she never remarried and lived in the sultan's palace, overseeing the completion of a mosque founded by Rustem and bearing his name.

Achievements and Missteps of the Grand Vizier

In 1544, after a public quarrel with Hüsrev Pasha, Suleiman Pasha was removed from his position. The vacant grand vizier position was filled by Rustem, who had previously been in the shadow of more experienced politicians. Historical assessments of Rustem Pasha are extremely contradictory. Some historians portray him as an honest and pious statesman who genuinely cared for the well-being of the empire. They highlight his religiosity, modesty, and ability to acknowledge his mistakes.

However, there is another perspective. Rustem Pasha is accused of corruption, greed, and intrigue. Some Ottoman historians claim that it was under his tenure that the practice of selling state positions began, undermining the authority of the Ottoman administration. Furthermore, his close ties to the sultana Hurrem and his wife Mihrimah Sultan, according to many historians, granted him excessive influence over Sultan Suleiman, adversely affecting the empire's politics. Such contradictory evaluations—ranging from highly laudatory to sharply negative—can also be found among contemporary historians.

Despite the mixed assessment of Rustem Pasha's political activities, his contributions to the development of the Ottoman Empire as a patron and financier are undeniable. The grand vizier actively engaged in philanthropy, using his vast wealth to fund various projects.

In Istanbul, Edirne, and other key trading centers of the empire, Rustem Pasha established numerous charitable foundations. The funds from these foundations were used to build mosques, caravanserais, bridges, roads, and other public utility projects. He also invested in industrial development, establishing silk factories and other enterprises. Additionally, Rustem Pasha financed the construction of public baths, bakeries, mills, and markets, thereby providing the population with essential goods and services.

Alongside his charitable activities, Rustem Pasha proved himself to be a talented financier. Thanks to his adept management of state finances, the treasury of the Ottoman Empire was significantly replenished. The grand vizier actively promoted trade with other countries, expanded agricultural production, and invested in strengthening the army. It was due to Rustem Pasha's effective financial policies that the empire could conduct costly military campaigns and undertake large-scale construction projects.

In foreign policy, Rustem Pasha did not particularly distinguish himself. His greatest achievement was the conclusion of a five-year truce with Charles of Habsburg in 1547. Additionally, a substantial amount of money was made available to the Ottoman Empire. However, the only major military campaign that the pasha personally commanded ended in failure due to his own mistakes.

In 1553, the sultan executed his eldest son Mustafa. Many in the empire and Europeans believed that Rustem Pasha and Hurrem Sultan played a role in this harsh decision. The Janissaries, who greatly adored Mustafa, were particularly outraged. They revolted against the grand vizier and succeeded in having him removed from office. However, two years later, with the help of Mihrimah and Hurrem, Rustem was reappointed as grand vizier.

Among Rustem's main adversaries was an Ottoman poet and military figure named Taşlıcalı. He could not forgive Rustem for his alleged involvement in Mustafa's death and made him the target of his mocking epigrams. With the sultan's approval, Rustem secured a life banishment for the poet.

Until the end of his life, Rustem Pasha remained in the position of grand vizier. He passed away in the summer of 1561. The cause of death is unknown, but there are suggestions that he died of edema. At Mihrimah's request, Rustem was buried in the Şehzade Mosque, where one of Suleiman's sons—Mehmed—was already resting.

Conclusion

Rustem Pasha remains one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of the Ottoman Empire. His life and activities continue to raise many questions and debates. Undoubtedly, he was one of the most influential people of his time, but his legacy remains ambiguous.