During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled all over the world for hundreds of years, dozens of different sultans came to the throne. We do not know much about some of these sultans, some of whom we know with their good and some with their bad features. Here are all the Ottoman sultans and the important traces they left in history, respectively.
The Ottoman Empire, which became a principality, then a state, and then an empire in 1299; lastly, it disappeared in 1922 and left its place to the state of the Republic of Turkey, in which we live today. The Ottoman Empire is an important state for the Turkish-Islamic world as well as for the world history. Every step taken by the Ottoman sultans, left a mark on world politics.
Dozens of different sultans came to the throne during the period of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled almost every known part of the world for hundreds of years. We commemorate some of these sultans with their good features and some with their bad features, but we do not know much about some of them. As of the period, some of them signed the conquests and some of them were not very active. Let’s get to know the Ottoman sultans one by one and let’s see the important traces they left in history.
All Ottoman sultans in order:
The beginning of everything: Osman Gazi
Osman Gazi, who was the sultan between 1299 and 1326, is the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Osman Gazi, known as a strong-willed man, was only 23 years old when he became the head of the Kayı Tribe. He died of gout in Bursa in 1326.
He used to mix with the people: Orhan Gazi
Orhan Gazi, who was the sultan between 1326 and 1359, had a yellow beard and blue eyes. He married the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor. He is known to be just and merciful.
Murad is known as Hüdavendigar: Murad I.
Murad I, who was the sultan between 1359 and 1389; He was a tall man with a large nose and a large nose. He was known as “King of Dervish Gazis, Sheikhs, Murad Gazi”. In 1382, he began to be known as “Murad Hüdavendigar”. He died on the battlefield.
We know with the Battle of Ankara: Bayezid I.
Bayezid I, who was the sultan between 1389 and 1402, is also known as Yıldırım Bayezid. Bayezid, who was nicknamed the lightning because of his fast movements, is known for the Battle of Ankara with Timur. He was captured and died in this war.
Second founder: Mehmed I
Mehmed I, who was the sultan between 1413 and 1421, came to the throne after the Interregnum and reunited the Anatolian principalities. For this reason, there are those who call Mehmed I the second founder of the Ottoman Empire.
A peaceful life: II. Murad
Sultan II between 1421 and 1451. Murad led a quiet and peaceful life, but managed to intimidate the Europeans because he was a daring leader.
The greatest man of the time: Fatih Sultan Mehmed
Mehmed the Conqueror, who was the sultan between 1451 and 1481, knew 7 languages and is considered one of the greatest scholars of the time. By conquering Istanbul, he destroyed the Eastern Roman Empire and opened the doors of a new era for the world.
An experienced statesman: II. Bayezid
II, who was the sultan between 1481 and 1512. Since Bayezid was appointed as the Governor of Amasya at the age of 7, he was experienced in state administration. II, which is also related to science. Bayezid also studied mathematics and philosophy.
A fearless soldier: Yavuz Sultan Selim
Yavuz Sultan Selim, who was the sultan between 1512 and 1520, was a strong man who used good weapons. By conquering Kars, Erzurum, Artvin and the surrounding provinces, he enabled the region to become Muslim. He did not grow a beard so that it would not be kept during the war, he used to grow a long mustache in accordance with Turkish culture.
The strongest times of Turkish domination: Suleiman the Magnificent
During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, who was the sultan between 1520 and 1566, the strongest times of Turkish domination were experienced. He made numerous conquests, spread fear of Turks in Europe, and was closely interested in science and art. He was called Kanuni because of his sensitivity to justice.
Faded: II. Selim
II, who was the sultan between 1566 and 1574. Selim is known as a more obscure ruler because he ascended the throne after Yavuz and Kanuni. The defeat of Lepanto was experienced in this period.
He was like his father: III. Murad
III, who was the sultan between 1574 and 1595. Murad, like his father, was not very interested in state affairs and never left Istanbul.
He was influenced by his mother: III. Mehmed
III, who was the sultan between 1595 and 1603. Mehmed was the son of Safiye Sultan and was influenced by his mother. He is known as a pious sultan.
He was closely involved in state affairs: Ahmed I
Ahmed I, who was the sultan between 1603 and 1617, was a talented sultan in the military. He is one of the sultans most interested in state affairs after Kanuni.
A tough life: Mustafa I
Mustafa I, who was the sultan between 1617 and 1618 and then again between 1622 and 1623, lived in prison in a room of the palace for many years. Although he was removed due to his unbalanced movements when he first ascended to the throne, he later had to ascend to the throne again.
We remember with the riots: Young Osman
Young Osman, who was the sultan between 1618 and 1622, was an intelligent and innovative sultan, but because he did not accept the demands of the other rulers, he was dethroned and strangled in the Yedikule dungeons.
Countless revolts were suppressed: IV. Murad
Sultan IV between 1623 and 1640. Murad is known for banning alcohol and tobacco. Although he died at a young age, he was strong enough to personally suppress many rebellions in Istanbul.
Referred to as crazy: İbrahim
İbrahim, who was the sultan between 1640 and 1648, is known as Deli. The reason for this is his older brother IV. Murad had all his brothers killed and he lived in prison in a room of the palace for many years, worried that it would be his turn.
Hunting enthusiast: IV. Mehmed
Sultan IV between 1648 and 1687. Mehmed is known as a hunting enthusiast sultan. The second Vienna defeat took place in this period.
Against bribery: II. Solomon
II, who was the sultan between 1687 and 1691. Solomon is known as an enemy of bribery and debauchery. He was a religious man.
Calligrapher: II. Ahmed
II, who was the sultan between 1691 and 1695. Ahmed was a master sultan in calligraphy and wrote many Qurans with his own hand.
He was not self-indulgent: II. Mustafa
II, who was the sultan between 1695 and 1703. Mustafa received a good education. He is known for the sentence in one of his articles, “We have forbidden ourselves pleasure, pleasure and comfort”.
Tulip Era sultan: III. Ahmed
Sultan III between 1703 – 1730. Ahmed reigned during the Tulip Era. He led a comfortable and debauched life.
He did not neglect state affairs: Mahmud I
Mahmud I, who was the sultan between 1730 and 1754, maintained his mental health despite living in a cage for many years and took a close interest in state affairs when he ascended the throne.
Famous for his anger: III. Osman
Sultan III between 1754 – 1757. Osman was an angry man because of the cage life he lived for many years. He had the musicians expelled from the palace. The shoes were fitted with iron heels, and he demanded that all the concubines who heard him come out of his way.
He took strict measures: III. Mustafa
Sultan III between 1757 – 1774. Mustafa is known as a religious man. He was closely interested in state affairs and took important precautions against possible wars.
A reformist sultan: Abdulhamid I
Abdulhamid I, who was the sultan between 1774 and 1789, made many political and military reforms and opened European-style schools in the country.
The poet was: III. Selim
Sultan III between 1789-1807. Selim received a good education. He was a poet, tamburi, neyzen and hanede.
He had to make concessions: IV. Mustafa
Sultan IV between 1807 and 1808. During the Mustafa period, numerous rebellions broke out and he had to make many concessions.
He developed the justice system: II. Mahmud
II, who was the sultan between 1808 and 1839. Mahmud was a sultan sensitive to justice. He had many new laws and regulations prepared.
He started the Tanzimat era: Abdülmecid
Abdülmecid, who was the sultan between 1839 and 1861, had reformist ideas. By declaring the Gülhane Hatt-ı Hümâyûn, he started the Tanzimat period.
He lived a simple life: Abdulaziz
Abdülaziz, who was the sultan between 1861 and 1876, was a sultan who was interested in poetry and music. He is known as a wasteful, but he himself led a simple life.
Organized a trip to Europe: Murad V
Murad V, who was the sultan for a short time between 30 May 1876 – 31 August 1876; He received a good education, learned French and organized a trip to Europe for the first time.
It implemented strong policies: II. Abdulhamid
II, who was the sultan between 1876 and 1909. Abdulhamid implemented a series of policies that saved the Ottoman Empire from collapse.
Interested in poetry and books: Mehmed Reşad
Mehmed Reşad, who was the sultan between 1909 and 1918, spent his days in the harem writing poetry and reading books.
The last sultan: Mehmed Vahdettin
Mehmed Vahdettin, who was the sultan between 1918-1922, is the last sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He is known as a kind person.
Ruled all over the world for hundreds of years We have listed all the sultans of the Ottoman Empire and we briefly talked about the traces they left in history. You can share your thoughts about the Ottoman sultans in the comments.