Xhelal Pasha Zogolli

Xhelal Pasha Zogolli was hereditary governor of Mati, father of Xhemal Pasha Zogu and grandfather of King Zog I.

Life
Xhelal Pasha Zogolli was born in the Mati region of modern day Albania (it was a part of the Ottoman Empire when he was born). His father was Mahmud Pasha Zogolli. His family were a Muslim Albanian beylik family of landowners, with feudal authority over the region of Mati. Xhelal Pasha Zogolli was educated privately. He served in the Montenegrin War of 1852-53. Later he visited Russia and inspired by Russians he attempted a local rebellion against Ottoman rule after his return which was unsuccessful because of the low participation. He married Ruqiya Khanum Ruhijé Hanem, from the wealthy Alltuni family of Kavajë. He had ownership of the Burgajet Castle, near Burrel in northern Albania,  as his son Xhemal Pasha Zogu was born there in 1860. He died apparently poisoned by Ottoman agents at Vienna, Austria, even though this claim is not yet proven. He was buried in Haji Badem Uskanda, Istanbul, Turkey.