From humble origins as the son of a doorkeeper, Âli Pasha rose through the ranks of the Ottoman state and became the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a short time in 1840, and again in 1846.

[3] Âli Pasha advocated for a western style of reform to modernize the empire, including secularization of the state and education and improvements to civil liberties.

His egalitarian reforms, dealings with Christian powers, and increasingly authoritarian regime were not without controversy, opponents of which coalesced around the Young Ottomans.

[5] In addition, internal affairs including, the defeat of Ottoman armies at the hand of the Egyptians and the Treaty of Hünkâr İskelesi with the Russians, diplomacy became more important.

Mustafa left Âli Pasha in charge while he headed back to the Ottoman Empire to take his position as Grand Vizier.

In 1855 he again became the Grand Vizier for one year, an office he filled no less than five times; in that role he represented the Porte at the Congress of Paris in 1856 and signed the peace treaty that ended the Crimean War.

Sultan Abdülaziz, who often clashed with Âli Pasha over the powers of the Grand Vizier, admitted that he could not replace such a man so recognized in Europe.

It was during his role as ambassador that Âli Pasha promoted friendship with England and France as well as incorporating western practices into the Ottoman Empire.

For example, based on his experience of the education system of France, Âli Pasha laid the foundation of the prestigious Galatasaray High School in its modern form, where children of minority religions would be taught amongst Muslim students.

[8] Âli Pasha's responsibilities and recognition increased further when he was chosen as lead delegate for the peace talks, while being appointed Grand Vizier again in the 1855 Congress of Vienna, following the Crimean war.

[12] Âli Pasha, on the other hand, wanted the fusion of all subjects by providing equal opportunities in education and public office, with the result being that Christians no longer would see themselves as oppressed by the Ottoman state, therefore leading to a more stable empire.

Although the opposition tactics of the Young Ottomans were within the boundaries of Istanbul censorship, Âli Pasha nonetheless closed down their newspapers and banished them.

[12] During Abdul Aziz's 1867 European tour, Âli Pasha stayed in the capital and was appointed regent of the Ottoman Sultanate, for a 44 day period.

[12] Historian Roderic Davison describes Âli as small and frail, being soft spoken, speaking barely above a whisper, but with active eyes.

His politics put him as a conservative reformer, being a monarchist and an Islamic supremacist, albeit he was strongly in favor of equality under the law and İttihad-ı Anasır.

In it, he recounts his accomplishments such as keeping the Ottoman Empire intact, improving the bureaucracy, dealing with revolts with minor concessions, starting railroad construction and appeasement of European powers.