Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha

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Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha was the first vizier of Murad I's reign, the first in Ottoman history who held the title "Grand Vizier", the first who had a military background (the previous ones under Orhan I were issued from the class of learned men, the "ilmiye") and the first member of the illustrous Çandarlı family to hold high office. His family was to mark the rise of the Ottoman Empire between 1360-1450.

He rose to the rank of Grand Vizier from the position of the chief military judge (قاضسکر kazasker) in September 1364 and he held this top seat after the Sultan until his death on 22 January 1387. As such, he became the grand vizier who had the longest term of administration. He was also notable for being the initiator of the "devshirme" system of recruitment in the Ottoman Empire. Çandarlı Kara Halil Pasha is not to be confused by his grandson, Çandarlı (2nd) Halil Pasha, grand vizier under the reign of Murad II and during the first years of Mehmed II.