Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha

Who was Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha?

Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha, also known as Çandarlı Halil Pasha the Elder, was the first grand vizier of Murad I's reign. He was also technically the first in Ottoman history who held the title "Grand Vizier", the first who had a military background, and the first member of the illustrious Çandarlı family to hold high office. His family was to mark the rise of the Ottoman Empire between 1360 and 1450.

He rose to the rank of grand vizier from the position of the chief military judge in September 1364 and held this top seat after the sultan until his death on January 22, 1387. As such, he became the grand vizier who had the longest term of administration, a record he would hold until the abolition of the position 535 years after his death in 1922. He was also notable for being the initiator of the "devşirme" system of recruitment in the Ottoman Empire. Çandarlı Kara Halil Pasha is not to be confused with his grandson, Çandarlı Halil Pasha the Younger, grand vizier under the reign of Murad II and during the first years of that of Mehmed II.