Çandarlı Halil Pasha: A Skilled Statesman and His Controversial Role in Ottoman History
Çandarlı Halil Pasha was a talented statesman who served as the Grand Vizier during the reign of Sultan Murad II in the Ottoman Empire. Known for his constant opposition to the conquest of Istanbul during the period of Ottoman ascendancy, he met his end at the hands of Fatih Sultan Mehmet after the city's fall.
The Process Leading to the Execution of Çandarlı Halil Pasha
When Murad II abdicated the throne in favor of his son, the 12-year-old Mehmet II (Fatih Sultan Mehmet), Çandarlı Halil Pasha vehemently opposed this decision. He believed that a young sultan was too inexperienced to govern a vast empire, especially with the threat of crusaders endangering the Ottoman state.
Çandarlı Halil Pasha, an influential figure within the Ottoman Empire, particularly held sway over the Janissaries. After Mehmet II's ascension at the age of 12, he is thought to have orchestrated the Buçuktepe Incident in Edirne, which was a Janissary uprising under the pretext of trivial reasons.
Although this rebellion and the looming threat from the West led Murad II to return to power, while Çandarlı Halil Pasha got the outcome he desired, it also sowed the seeds of animosity in the young Mehmet. Mehmet, who was deposed at a young age, harbored resentment, and this resentment began here.
Following Murad II's return to power, he launched a campaign on Varna and emerged victorious. Subsequently, in battles such as those in Morea and the Second Battle of Kosovo, the Ottoman army and Murad II achieved success, quelling internal revolts. Çandarlı Halil Pasha once again demonstrated his prowess as a skilled diplomat.
However, when Murad II passed away in Edirne on February 3, 1451, things took a turn for the worse for Çandarlı Halil Pasha. He foresaw that the newly enthroned young Sultan Mehmet did not hold him in favor and anticipated his own downfall. Yet, Çandarlı Halil Pasha trusted in his own influence within the country and the need for a skilled and powerful statesman like him as long as Byzantium endured.
Though Fatih Sultan Mehmet had personal animosity towards Çandarlı Halil Pasha, he understood that executing him could lead to turmoil within the country, potentially impeding his plans for the grand conquest of Istanbul.
Additionally, Çandarlı Halil Pasha was the most accomplished Grand Vizier of his time, with over a decade of state experience. His insights and influence within the state were crucial for Fatih Sultan Mehmet. Hence, upon ascending the throne, Mehmet chose to retain Çandarlı Halil Pasha in his position rather than executing him.
Çandarlı Halil Pasha: Opposing the Conquest of Constantinople
Fatih Sultan Mehmet's greatest aspiration was to capture Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium. From the moment he took the throne, he repeatedly voiced his desire to achieve the honor of being the commander prophesied by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He expedited preparations for this momentous event.
However, Çandarlı Halil Pasha staunchly opposed the conquest of Istanbul. He believed that Byzantium should persist, and Constantinople should not be taken. In his view, if Byzantium fell, it would draw the intense ire of Western nations, leading to the formation of a formidable crusader army that would spell the end of the Ottoman Empire. According to Çandarlı Halil Pasha, the ambitious and visionary young Sultan needed to be restrained and controlled. He aimed to preserve the continuity of the state.
Yet, Fatih Sultan Mehmet had made up his mind. Istanbul would be conquered, and it would become Ottoman territory. Finally, on May 29, 1453, the mighty Ottoman army achieved the conquest, marking the end of the Eastern Roman Empire. Throughout the preparations for and the actual conquest of Istanbul, Çandarlı Halil Pasha's opposition persisted.
The Conquest of Istanbul and the Execution of Çandarlı Halil Pasha
Two days after the fall of Istanbul, Çandarlı Halil Pasha's deferred fate caught up with him. He was brought to Edirne and executed there.
One might wonder why Fatih Sultan Mehmet waited to execute Çandarlı Halil Pasha. The Grand Vizier, who wielded significant influence, particularly among the Janissaries, posed a potential threat to the stability of the army if he were executed before the conquest of Istanbul. The army, already in a state of turmoil, might have disintegrated, potentially preventing the conquest. By delaying Çandarlı Halil Pasha's execution until after the conquest, Fatih Sultan Mehmet could effectively navigate any unrest or attempted uprisings with the incredible charisma, trust, and authority he had gained.
Çandarlı Halil Pasha's lineage never again held positions in the state bureaucracy after his execution.
Impact of Çandarlı Halil Pasha's Execution on the Ottoman Empire
Until Çandarlı Halil Pasha's execution, Turkish clans had a substantial role in the governance of the Ottoman Empire. The system of devshirme, where foreign-origin children were raised within the state and placed in important governmental positions, had not yet gained significant favor, particularly up to the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet. However, when Fatih Sultan Mehmet ascended, notable devshirme statesmen like Zağanos Pasha consistently supported the grand conquest, whereas Turkish-born viziers, like Çandarlı Halil Pasha, resisted it.
Çandarlı Halil Pasha's execution marked the end of the tradition of Turkish-born statesmen in the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, devshirme viziers held sway in the government, consolidating the absolute power of the sultan.
Did Çandarlı Halil Pasha Succumb to Byzantine Gold?
From elementary history textbooks onwards, we've been taught that Çandarlı Halil Pasha accepted bribes from Byzantium and opposed the conquest of Istanbul to maintain ongoing trade relations. It's argued that he wished for the continuation of Byzantium to prevent the wrath of Western countries, which would lead to a significant crusader army and potentially the downfall of the Ottoman state.
However, Çandarlı Halil Pasha was exceedingly wealthy, perhaps even wealthier than the Ottoman Empire of the time. He was known to have a fortune that surpassed even that of the empire. He would even lend money to the state. Therefore, many historians now believe that the notion of Çandarlı Halil Pasha accepting bribes from Byzantium is false.
So, why did Çandarlı Halil Pasha oppose the conquest of Istanbul and the end of Byzantium?
He opposed it not because he received bribes from Byzantium or betrayed the state, but because he foresaw that with the conquest, his own influence and effectiveness would be diminished. Indeed, he was proven right.
For Çandarlı Halil
Pasha, the conquest of Byzantium would mean the end of his own political career. Fatih Sultan Mehmet would attain absolute power, and this would signify the end of Çandarlı Halil Pasha's influence. Therefore, it appears that Çandarlı Halil Pasha constantly opposed the conquest of Istanbul to maintain his own power and influence within the state.
Çandarlı Halil Pasha operated within the state like a state within a state, akin to a deep state. His power within the administration was substantial. It's known that during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, certain orders were not carried out due to incitement from Çandarlı Halil Pasha's supporters. This further fueled the animosity and anger of Fatih Sultan Mehmet towards Çandarlı Halil Pasha. In fact, even when Çandarlı Halil Pasha opposed the lifting of the siege and advocated for the imposition of taxes on Byzantium to end the war, Fatih Sultan Mehmet remained resolute in his pursuit of the conquest.
After the execution of Çandarlı Halil Pasha, the tradition of Turkish-born statesmen came to an end, and the era of devshirme statesmen began in the Ottoman Empire. This is why Çandarlı Halil Pasha's execution holds immense significance in Ottoman history.
It's worth noting that the claims made by the group led by Zağanos Pasha, alleging that Çandarlı Halil Pasha received gold from Byzantium, were used as a posthumous justification for his execution.
In conclusion, Çandarlı Halil Pasha's successful efforts in reinstating Sultan Murad II were overshadowed by his failed opposition to the conquest of Byzantium. His resistance was not fueled by accepting bribes or treasonous acts, but rather by his fear that the conquest would lead to his own decline in power and influence. Following Çandarlı Halil Pasha's demise, Turkish-born statesmen no longer played a prominent role in the Ottoman Empire's governance.
After Fatih Sultan Mehmet's accession to the throne, his son Bayezid II, in an act of reconciliation, restored Çandarlı Halil Pasha's family's honor, returning their seized assets and lands. Bayezid II even ensured that Çandarlı Halil Pasha was posthumously referred to as a martyr. Çandarlı Halil Pasha, executed on June 1, 1453, in Edirne, now rests in Bursa, where his tomb is located.
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