Background
He was born around 1500, apparently near the Glasinac Plateau in Bosnia, the younger brother of Deli Husrev Pasha, who apparently helped him rise through the system"s ranks more quickly.
He was born around 1500, apparently near the Glasinac Plateau in Bosnia, the younger brother of Deli Husrev Pasha, who apparently helped him rise through the system"s ranks more quickly.
Mustafa Pasha briefly served as kaymakam (acting governor) of Egypt Eyalet in 1549. He had risen to the position of Beylerbeyi of Damascus and then to that of Fifth Vizier. The honorific "Lala" means "tutor to the Sultan".
He was tutor to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent"s sons, including Şehzade Bayezid.
Apparently, he was in agreement with Bayezid"s decision to rebel against his father, although he did not openly support him in a financial or military way. He commanded the Ottoman land forces during the conquest of previously Venetian Cyprus in 1570/71, and in the campaign against Georgia and Persia in 1578.
lieutenant also meant that Mustafa had indicated his aggressive intentions to the Sultanate. (reference The Great Sea, David Abulafia)
In the final three months of his life, he was Grand Vizier from 28 April 1580 until his death.
He is buried in the courtyard of the Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Istanbul.
His tomb was designed by Ottoman architect Sinan. He has a street named after him in cities including Larnaca, Cyprus. His invasion and brutal treatment of the Venetian leaders in Cyprus led to Pope Pius V promoting a Roman Catholic coalition against the Ottomans which turned into the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.