vazirlik

Vazirlik is a term used in Turkish and other Turkic languages to denote an executive government department responsible for a specific policy area, commonly translated into English as “ministry.” The concept refers to the body and its head that manage public affairs within a defined field, such as finance, interior, or foreign affairs, under the authority of the state.

Etymology and cognates trace vazirlik to the word vazir (or vizier), a high-ranking minister in Islamic governance. The term spread through Arabic and Persian influences and was adapted into Turkic languages. In many historical contexts, vazirliks were the core departments of the sultan’s or shah’s administration, led by viziers or ministers who advised the ruler and oversaw administration.

In modern Turkey, the usual term for a government ministry is bakanlık, and vazirlik is largely found in historical, ceremonial, or formal-law contexts. The word is more common in other Turkic languages and in older Turkish texts. In Azerbaijani and other Turkic varieties, cognate forms such as vezirlilik or vəzirlik are used to denote a ministry. In Persian and Urdu, the equivalent concepts are vazarat or wizarat (ministry), reflecting similar roots and semantic scope across the region.

Vazirliks operate within the executive branch and are typically established by law or constitution, with ministers or vazirs appointed to lead and administer policy areas, prepare legislation, and oversee public agencies. The exact organization, powers, and relationship to the legislature vary by country and historical period.