Kara Musa Pasha

Who was Kara Musa Pasha?

Kara Musa Pasha was an Ottoman soldier and statesman who was named grand vizier by sultan Ibrahim I 16 September 1647 after Nevesinli Salih Pasha's execution, holding the office for only five days until 21 September. He also held the office of Kapudan Pasha in 1647.

Musa was born in the village Vikoča in the vicinity of Foča, now Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was born to the family of Vehabegović. His first meeting with sultan Murad IV was in 1630. Later on in his life, he became a member of Sublime Porte/Divan and was selected three times to serve as deputy of the Budin Eyalet. There in 1643, he received an endowment for the construction of the Musa-Pasha Mosque in Nova Kasaba, Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the Crete war campaign, after the death of the previous incumbent Koca Musa Pasha, Kara Musa Pasha received the title of Kapudan Pasha in 1647. When he invaded the city of Rethymno in Crete, he had a church there converted into a mosque, which still stands as "Kara Musa Pasha Mosque." However, because of lack of many successes, he was dismissed from the role of Kapudan Pasha soon afterwards.