Pasha (Mean)

Pasha

Pasha, previously known as bashaw, was a prestigious rank within the political and military system of the Ottoman Empire. It was usually bestowed upon governors, generals, dignitaries, and other high-ranking officials. The title of Pasha was considered an honorific, and it came in various ranks, comparable to the British title of Lord. In pre-republican Egypt, Pasha was also one of the most esteemed titles. The Pasha rank had three levels, with the highest being the first class, which allowed the holder to bear a standard with three horse-tails. The second class was allowed two, and the third class was permitted one.
The English word "pasha" comes from the Turkish word "paşa," which is believed to have Persian and Turkish roots. Some scholars connect it with the Persian word "pādšā" meaning "king," while others connect it with the Turkish words "baş(-ı)" meaning "head," or "baş-ağa," the title of an official. However, etymologist Sevan Nişanyan argues that "pasha" comes from the Turkish word "beşe," meaning "boy" or "prince," which is derived from the Persian word "baxxe." In Old Turkish, there was no distinction between the sounds /b/ and /p/, and the word was spelled "başa" until the 15th century.
Initially, the title "pasha" was used in Western Europe with the initial "b," and English forms such as "bashaw," "bassaw," and "buch" were common in the 16th and 17th centuries, which were derived from the medieval Latin and Italian word "bassa." In Arabic-speaking regions, due to the Ottoman Empire's presence, the title became frequently used in Arabic, although pronounced as "basha" due to the absence of the sound "p" in Arabic. The title "pasha" was initially applied only to military commanders, but later it became a title for any high official or anyone the court desired to honor, including unofficial persons.
The title was spelled with the initial "b" when first used in western Europe, appearing as bashaw, bassaw, or bucha, and was commonly used in the Arab World due to Ottoman presence, pronounced as basha in Arabic. Pashas held a higher rank than Beys and Aghas but ranked below Khedives and Viziers. The number of yak- or horse-tails or peacock tails displayed on their standard, a symbol of military authority during campaigns, distinguished the three grades of Pasha. The Sultan was the only person entitled to four tails. The title could be applied to any high official or unofficial person that the court wanted to honor. If a Pasha governed a provincial territory, it could be called a pashaluk, with the administrative term of the jurisdiction designated by terms such as eyalet, vilayet/walayah. Both Beylerbeys and valis/wālis were entitled to the style of Pasha, typically with two tails. Ottoman and Egyptian authorities conferred the title on both Muslims and Christians and frequently gave it to foreigners in their service. The title was an aristocratic honorific and could be hereditary or non-hereditary, stipulated in the Firman issued by the Sultan carrying the imperial seal "Tughra". The title did not bestow rank or title on the wife or elevate any religious leader to the title. Unlike western nobility titles, Ottoman titles followed the given name, and holders of the title Pasha were often referred to as "Your Excellency" in contacts with foreign emissaries and representatives.

In current Egyptian and Levantine Arabic, the title "Pasha" is more similar to "Sir" than "Lord" and is commonly used by older individuals. Among younger generations in Egypt, it is considered an informal way of addressing male peers since the abolition of aristocratic titles after the Revolution of 1952. While it is not an official title, the public and media in Turkey use "Pasha" to refer to general officers in the Turkish Armed Forces.