The Sultans

The sultans in the Ottoman Empire were an essential part of it. They were the ones who laid out the policies that ultimately determined the well-being of the state. The following were among the most important Sultans between 1400-1750 CE.
Celebi Mehmet was the son of Beyazid I. He was a benevolent ruler both towards his Muslim as well as Christian subjects. He was a brilliant politician who unified all the clans in Anatolia. He was considered the second founder of the Ottoman Empire and died in 1421.

Mehmet II was born in 1432 whose father was Murat II. He was a military leader and fluent in seven languages. Ascended to the throne at age 20 and was the one who conquered Constantinople in 1453. Under his rule, the Empire greatly expanded. He died in 1481.

Selim I was born in 1470 and was the son of Beyazit II. He improved the Ottoman relations with the neighboring states. He was fiscally conservative and was very generous and modest. He died in 1520.
Perhaps the greatest Sultan in the empire’s history was Suleyman I. He was born in 1495 and was the son of Selim I who put great emphasis in Suleyman’s education. The Ottoman Empire enjoyed the most prosperous time under Suleyman’s rule and started its slow decline after him. Suleyman made written rules and applied them strictly. He was considered a fair ruler and died in 1566.

Murat III who was born in 1546 to Selim II, ascended to the throne in 1574. He led a life of pleasures and was heavily influenced by the women in palace. He was always inclined toward mysticism and died in 1595.

Sultan Ahmet I was born in 1590 to Mehmet III. Ahmet came to the throne in 1603. He was the first Sultan since Suleyman I who organized administrative regulations and was an excellent politician. He died at age 28 after 14 years in power.
Osman II was the son of Ahmet I and was born in 1604. He was enthroned at 14 years of age and his first act was to make changes in the administrative duties and among council of state members. He reformed many governmental issues. Osman was ultimately dethroned and murdered.

Murat IV was born 1612 and was the son of Ahmet I. He banned tobacco and alcohol and supported the sciences. He recovered military discipline and ensured compliance with the law. He implemented measures for the regular collection of taxes. Murat died at age 28.

Ahmet III was Mehmet IV’s son and was born in 1673. Ahmet followed the reforms and improvements in Europe closely. He brought the print to the Ottoman Empire. Under his rule tensions between the Ottomans and the Russians increased. He left the throne in 1730.