Politics and change: Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha (1667-1730)

This doctoral study is one of the important figures of the 18th century Ottoman Empire, who served as grand vizier to III. Ahmed for twelve years, focusing on the duties he assumed in the Ottoman palace life, his political roles and the relations he established with his environment. Comprehensive biographies of the statesmen of the period are necessary in order to understand the 18th century Ottoman Empire and to grasp the true nature of the changes. At this point, together with life story of İbrahim Pasha, his role in the palace, especially his relationship with III. Ahmed, his relationship with bureaucracy, military, ulema and ambassadors, the events were examined. Although Ibrahim Pasha spent his youth in his hometown of Nevsehir, his career and rise began after he came to Istanbul. His involvement in the palace life and her powerful structure formed the foundations of the office of the grand vizier. After reaching this position with reliable steps, he assumed the role of an important change in Ottaman life with his political, cultural and economic breakthroughs. In this respect, within the scope of the reformist personality of the pasha, the internal and external political developments and the formation of the resulting phase of the 1730 rebellion were emphasized. Finally, an objective evaluation of what he had throughout his life of the Grand Viziership was made in line with critical discourses. The biography of İbrahim Pasha is the definition of a shakeup, which thought to be detrimental to the Ottoman Empire, but pursues constructive goals with economic and military advances in a logical context.