Period of three sultans, one grand vizier: Sokollu Mehmed Pasha

This thesis explores the life and career of Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, one of the most influential statesmen in Ottoman history, beginning with his family background and ethnic origins prior to his inclusion in the devshirme system. It examines his recruitment, integration into palace service, rise through the imperial ranks, and the political activities that spanned the reigns of three sultans. Particular emphasis is placed on his military, administrative, and diplomatic engagements during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, which laid the groundwork for his eventual appointment as Grand Vizier. During the reign of Sultan Selim II, the thesis analyzes how Sokollu effectively governed the empire, focusing on his involvement in major events such as the Yemeni revolt, the Cyprus Campaign, and the defeat at Lepanto, as well as his ambitious infrastructural projects, including the Don-Volga, Suez, and Marmara– iv Sapanca–Sakarya canal proposals. In the period of Sultan Murad III, the study highlights the decline of Sokollu‟s influence amidst palace intrigues and rising opposition, which shaped the final phase of his political life. His assassination in 1579 marked the end of a transformative era. The thesis concludes by evaluating his political legacy and public works within the framework of his contributions to Ottoman governance. This study aims to reveal Sokollu Mehmed Pasha‟s role in the Ottoman bureaucracy, his relationship with central authority, and his contributions to Ottoman politics during the second half of the sixteenth century.