Vizier: Encyclopedia II - Vizier - Historical titles

Vizier - Historical titles

In pre-Islamic Persia the vichir (Middle-Persian for Vizier), was a minister to the Shah.

This word has been borrowed from Persian into Arabic, Turkish and almost all other languages of the Muslim nations.

However it has been used in two very different ways : either for a unique position, in western terms the prime minister at the head of the monarch's government (the term Grand Vizier always refers to such post) or as a shared 'cabinet rank', rather like a British Secretary of state (if one of them is the prime minister, he may hold the title of Grand vizier or another style).

In some Muslim societies, unsuccessful viziers were commonly eliminated (justifiedly or as scapegoats). This was particularly common during much of Ottoman history; for example, one of the most brutal sultans, Selim I, had seven viziers executed during his eight-year rule; others were deposed but merely demoted, some even returned in office.

Vizier - In Islam's Core Area

• in Al-Andalus (the Iberian peninsula under the Arabo-Barbaresque Moors) appointed by the Caliph of Cordoba
  • similarly in many of the emirates and sultanates of the taifa which the caliphate was broken up into (for example the Abbadids in Seville)
• in Muslim Egypt, the most populous Arab country, under the Fatimid Caliphs
• During the days of the Ottoman Empire the Grand Vizier was the -often de facto ruling- prime minister, second only to the Sultan (many of whom left politics to him, indulging in court pleasures) and was the leader of the Divan, the Imperial Council.
• In Muslim Iran (Persian empire) the Prime Minister under the poitical authority of the Shahanshah was commonly styled Vazir i-Azam ('Supreme -, i.e. Grand Vizier'; alternative titles include Atabag i-Azam and Sardar i-Azam), and various Ministers held cabinet rank as vazir, including a Vazir-i-Daftar (minister for finance) and a Vazir-i-Lashkar (war portfolio).
• In the Sherifan kingdom of Morocco (historically a sultanate till the incumbent assumed the higher royal style of Malik on 14 Aug 1957, shortly after the end of the simultaneous French and Spanish protectorates; the additional Islamic title Amir al-Mu´minin "Commander of the Faithful" stayed in use), a Sadr al-A'zam (Grand Vizier) was in office untill 22 Nov 1955, replaced since 7 Dec 1955 a (part-political) Prime Minister; Vizier was the style of a minister of state (other titles for various portfolios).
• In Oman the Hami/Sultan's Chief minister was styled Wazir till 1966, but in 1925-1932 there was also or in stead a Chairman of the council of Ministers; since 1970 the style is Prime Minister
• In Saudi Arabia, the sole Vizier was (10 June 1916 - 3 Oct 1924) the future second king Ali ibn Hussein al-Hashimi, under his father Hussein ibn Ali al-Hashimi (the first to assume the title Malik, i.e. King, in stead of Grand Sharif), maintained after the assumption of the Caliphal style (only 11 March 1924 - 3 Oct 1924)
• In the 'regency' of Tunisia, under the Husainid dynasty, various ministers of the Bey, including
  • Wazir al-Akbar (or El Ouzir El Kébir): 'Great Minister', i.e. Grand Vizier, Chief Minister or Prime Minister.
  • Wazir al-'Amala (or El Ouzir El Amala): Minister for the Interior.
  • Wazir al-Bahr (or El Ouzir El Bahr): Minister 'of the Sea', i.e. for the Navy/ Marine.
  • Wazir al-Harb (or El Ouzir El Harb): Minister for the Army or Minister for War.
  • Wazir al-Istishara (or El Ouzir El Istichara): Minister-Counsellor.
  • Wazir al-Qalam: Minister of the Pen.
  • Wazir ud-Daula (or El Ouzir El Dawla): Minister of State.
  • Wazir us-Shura (or El Ouzir Ech Choura): Privy Counsellor.

• In Afghanistan, under the Duranni dynasty, the Chief minister was styled Wazir-i-azam (1801-1880); the Wazir al-durbar was the ('House') Minister of the Royal Court.

Vizier - In Black Africa

• Viziers to the Sultans of Zanzibar; since 1890 filled by British, also known as First ministers, even systematically 1 July 1913 - 23 Feb 1961 the British Resident (Minister)s, an extremely direct form of indirect rule (before and after Chief - or Prime Ministers, generally native)

Vizier - In the Far East East Indies etc

• In India many rulers, even quite some hindu princes, had a vizier as chief minister – compare Diwan, Nawab wasir, Pradhan, etcetera.
• In the (former) sultanate of the Maldives (Divehi language), the Prime Minister was styled Bodu Vizier, and various Ministers held cabinet rank as vazierin (plural), including Hakura'a (portfolio of Public Works), Shahbandar (Navy portfolio, also Admiral in chief), Vela'ana'a (Foreign Affairs).

Vizier - Princely title

In the rare case of the Indian princely state of Jafarabad (Jafrabad, founded c.1650), ruled by Thanadars, in 1702 a state called Janjira was founded, with rulers (six incumbents) styled wazir; when in 1762 Jafarabad and Janjira states entered into personal union, both titles were maintained, until (after 1825) the higher style of Nawab was assumed.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Historical titles", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki