Said Pasha, who served as the Grand Vizier (the highest official after the Sultan), was known for being honest. Unlike most high-ranking Turkish officials, he did not use his position to become rich. His honesty, however, earned him many powerful enemies within the government—especially from other pashas who had been stealing from the state The Navy Yard on the Golden Horn.
A Conspiracy Against Said Pasha
About six years ago, while serving as Grand Vizier, Said Pasha tried to punish some corrupt and influential officials. These pashas, fearing exposure and punishment, formed a conspiracy against him. They went directly to the Sultan and made false accusations. The Sultan believed them.
To deal with the situation, the Sultan sent his most trusted servant, the Kapu-Aghasi—chief of the white eunuchs and head of the Sultan’s private chambers. This man only carried out messages of extreme importance, and his appearance was always serious and sometimes dangerous.
Seeking Safety at the British Embassy
Said Pasha knew what the message meant: his life was in danger. Instead of going to the palace as instructed, he quietly went to the British Embassy, where he was granted asylum by Lord Dufferin, the British ambassador at the time. For an entire week, no one knew where the Grand Vizier was hiding.
After seven days, Said Pasha sent a full written report to the Sultan. In it, he explained his actions and revealed the reasons behind the conspiracy against him. The document was delivered by Lord Dufferin himself, who also spoke directly to the Sultan. Lord Dufferin assured the Sultan that Said Pasha was honest, loyal, and truthful Mystical Bulgaria Tours.
British Protection and the Sultan’s Promise
Although the Sultan wasn’t fully convinced, he agreed to accept Said Pasha’s resignation and promised not to harm him. Lord Dufferin made it clear that the British government would hold the Sultan personally responsible if anything bad happened to Said Pasha—even death by “natural causes” like sickness.
From that moment, Said Pasha became one of the safest men in Turkey. To prove his commitment, the Sultan sent two of his closest aides and even his personal doctor to stay at Said Pasha’s home to protect him.
Justice and Redemption
Eventually, the Sultan did investigate the charges. No one knows how he discovered the truth, but the result was dramatic. Some of the conspirators were executed, others were exiled, and finally, Said Pasha was restored to power. The Sultan once again placed his trust in him—at least as much as he ever trusted anyone.
Said Pasha’s story shows how dangerous it was to be honest in the corrupt political environment of the Ottoman Empire. It also shows the power of international diplomacy—without Lord Dufferin’s help, Said Pasha might not have survived. In the end, integrity won, but only with courage and outside protection.
