Vizier: Encyclopedia - Vizier

Vizier

A Vizier (وزير, sometimes also spelled Vizir, Wasir, Wazir, Wesir, Wezir - grammatical vowel changes are common in many oriental languages) is an oriental, originally Persian, term for a high-ranking political (and sometimes religious) advisor or Minister, often to a Muslim monarch such as a Caliph, Amir, Malik (king) or Sultan. Also used anachronistically or in a modern Islamic republic's cabinet.

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.

Vizier - Modern Islamic republic

In Pakistan, the Prime Minister (de facto ruling politician, formally under the President) is called Vazir e Azam (Persian for Grand vizier), other Ministers are styled vazirs.

Vizier - Anachronistic historical use

It is common, even among historians, to apply 'modern' terms to cultures whose own authentic titles are (or were when the habit took root) unsufficiantly known, in this case to pre-islamic Antiquity.

• In ancient Egypt the highest ranking government official, after the pharaoh, acting as his chancellor (Egyptian: tjaty), is called by modern researchers vizier, (and also a vizier for the North, Lower Egypt, the Nile Delta, and a vizier for the South, Upper Egypt). However at times the viceroy of Nubia (a military governor general, sometimes a prince of the Pharaoh's blood) and/or the High Priest of Amun (the temple complex at Thebes gradually amassed sufficient possessions and income to rival the crown) rose to equal or even superior power; some pharaohs are even believed to have lost real political preeminence to the 'kingmakers'.
• Among the Huns, the 'vizier' (Attila the Hun's was called Onegesius) was the second officer in rank after the great king; no formal status is known, just a class of royal councilors, representatives etc. known by the Greek term logades.

Vizier - Art

In contemporary literature and pantomime, the "Grand Vizier" is a character stereotype and is usually portrayed as a scheming backroom plotter and the clear power behind the throne of a usually bumbling or incompetent monarch. A well-known example of this is the sinister character of Jafar in the Disney movie Aladdin who plots and uses magic to take over the entire Kingdom of Agrabah under the nose of the nation's naïve sultan, just as Jaffar in the 1940 movie The Thief of Bagdad dethroned his master, caliph Ahmad. Others include the comic book character Iznogoud and the villains of the video games Prince of Persia and King's Quest VI.

Perhaps the origin of this character archetype is the biblical account of Esther. The book details the rise of a Jewish woman to Queen of Persia, and her role in stopping the plot of Haman, chief advisor to the Persian king, to wipe out all Jews living in Persia.

Throughout history the notion of the sinister Grand Vizier has often been invoked when a political leader appears to be developing a cozy relationship with a spiritual advisor of questionable scruples or talents.

Vizier - Some famous viziers in history

• Amir Kabir of the Qajar dynasty.
• Nizam al-Mulk of Malik Shah I.

Vizier - Sources and References

• Royal Ark, dynasties in historical context - see each muslim nation quoted in this article, often in the section 'Glossary'
• WorldStatesmen - clcik on each Islamic present state

Categories: Abbasid caliphs | Executive ministers | Heads of government | Heads of state | Ottoman Empire | Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire

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