VIZIER, or Vizin (pronounced viz-eer'), the title of various high functionaries in the Ottoman empire, and other Mohammedan states. The word, which is of Arabic origin. and signifies "he who bears or supports (a burden)," was first bestowed as a title of honor on the chief-minister of the first Abbaside calif, in 750 A.D. During the decline of this dynasty, the vizier had to "bear the burden" of government almost entirely, and consequently, increased so much in power and authority, that the califs thought it dent to counteract his influence by the creation of the new dignity of Emir-al-Oinrah (q.v.), which, being generally bestowed upon one or other of the powerful alien princes who bad made for themselves sovereignties in Persia, was found to be an efficacious z.ounterpoise. The dignity of vizier was first introduced among the Ottoman Turks during the reign of their second sultan, Orkhan. and the title was exclusively confined to the sultan's prime-minister; but in 1386, it was conferred by Amurath I. on his rious general, Timur-tilsh, and the prime-minister's title was then changed into " grand or illustrious vizier." From this period, the number of viziers was
gradually increased, but from the commencement of the 18th c., only seven of them were ministers. The title is now given, as is also that of mujir, to all the Turkish isters of state. The grand vizier is, after the sultan, the most important personage of the Turkish empire; he unites in his own person the whole powers of the state, and is charged with a corresponding responsibility. The political changes introduced at the end of 1876 (by which Turkey became a " constitutional " monarchy) have not seriously affected the dignity of vizier, though in 1878 the title was abolished, that of 1,...:sident of the council of ministers being substituted. In a few months, however, the vizierate was restored, subject as formerly to more serious control from the intrigues of the palace than from the new parliamentary constitution. The rnini.ter•, w1to are nominally responsible to the parliament, are directly dependent on the grand vizier.