[1][2] He was the son of Uthman Pasha al-Kurji, who was of Georgian origin.
Darwish Pasha owed his assignment as Wali of Sidon in September 1771 to his father's influence with the Sublime Porte (Ottoman imperial government).
[3] Darwish Pasha was dismissed from Sidon in October 1771 after fleeing Sidon after arrival of the rebellious Arab sheikh of Galilee, Zahir al-Umar, who occupied the city.
Darwish Pasha was subsequently appointed wali of Karaman in November.
[4] He was appointed wali of Damascus in June 1783, replacing his brother Muhammad Pasha al-Kurji who died shortly after taking office.