Absolute Rule of the Ottoman Sultan
The Ottoman sultan was the absolute ruler of the territory. As the head of the state and government, his words were law. He held political, military, judicial, social, and religious authority, responsible only to Allah and God’s Law, known as the Seriat (Sharia).
From its inception in 1299 – 1st November 1922. The empire of the Ottoman Turks was a multicultural melting pot that at its zenith in 1683 stretched from the northwest of Africa to the Persian Gulf, from the Red Sea to Budapest.
Succession Practices in the Early Ottoman Empire
In the early days of the Ottoman Empire, the Sultanate was inherited from father to son. This direct line of succession ensured stability within the ruling family.
Decree of Sultan Fatih Mehmet
In the 15th century, Sultan Fatih Mehmet issued a decree following a power struggle among Yildirim Bayezit’s sons. This decree mandated that once the eldest son ascended to the throne, his siblings were to be killed, a practice known as “survival of the fittest.” This rule remained in effect for about 250 years.
Changes in Succession Rules in the 17th Century
By the early 17th century, the succession practice had changed. The new rule required that the eldest family member inherit the throne upon a sultan’s death. Consequently, a deceased sultan’s own son rarely succeeded him after the 17th century; instead, an uncle or brother usually took the throne.
Confinement of Prospective Heirs
Moreover, the sultan confined all prospective heirs to the Harem’s “cage” section, isolating them from the world. This confinement aimed to prevent power struggles and ensure the heir’s survival until succession.
Chronology of Ottoman Sultans
Between 1299 and 1922, a total of 36 sultans ruled the Ottoman Empire. The sultans, in chronological order, were:
| Sultan | Ruled |
|---|---|
| Osman Gazi | (1299-1324 or 1326) |
| Orhan Gazi | (1324 or 1326-1360) |
| Murad I | (1360-1389) |
| Yildirim Bayazid I | (1389-1403) |
| Celebi Mehmed I | (1403-1421) |
| Murad II | (1421-1444 and 1446-1451) |
| Fatih Mehmed II | (1444-1446 and 1451-1481) |
| Beyazid Han II | (1481-1512) |
| Yavuz Selim I | (1512-1520) |
| Suleyman I | (1520-1566) |
| Selim II | (1566-1574) |
| Murad III | (1574-1595) |
| Mehmed III | (1595-1603) |
| Ahmed I | (1603-1617) |
| Mustafa I | (1617-1618 and 1622-1623) |
| Genc Osman II | (1618-1622) |
| Murad IV | (1623-1640) |
| Ibrahim | (1640-1648) |
| Avci Mehmed IV | (1648-1687) |
| Suleyman II | (1687-1691) |
| Ahmed II | (1691-1695) |
| Mustafa II | (1695-1703) |
| Ahmed III | (1703-1730) |
| Mahmud I | (1730-1754) |
| Osman III | (1754-1757) |
| Mustafa III | (1757-1774) |
| Abdulhamid I | (1774-1789) |
| Selim III | (1789-1807) |
| Mustafa IV | (1807-1808) |
| Mahmud II | (1808-1839) |
| Abdulmecit | (1839-1861) |
| Abdulaziz | (1861-1876) |
| Murad V | (1876) |
| Abdulhamid II | (1876-1909) |
| Mehmed V | (1909-1918) |
| Mehmed Vahdettin VI | (1918-1922) |
For a captivating portrayal of this historical period, watch historical Turkish series about the Ottoman sultans on OsmanOnline.live, including popular shows like Kuruluş Osman and Mehmed: Fetihler Sultanı.
Vahdettin was the last sultan of the Ottoman Empire. In November 1922, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the sultanate, hence Vahdettin and his family were sent into exile in Europe. The sultan’s descendants were not allowed to enter Turkey for about 50 years, when in 1974 the Turkish Grand National Assembly granted them the right to acquire Turkish citizenship if they requested. The last surviving heir to the past Ottoman throne, Mr. Ertugrul Osman, who was 4th in line to the throne, died in Istanbul on 23rd of September 2009 at the age of 97.
Note on Copyright
Please be aware that OsmanOnline.club respects copyright laws and provides content only within legal frameworks. Make sure to enjoy the series through our recommended official channels to support the creators and respect copyright regulations.
Please note that this blog post is a work of fiction and is not affiliated with the official show or its creators. All opinions and interpretations are our own.
