Mighty Ruler of Ottoman Throne: Sultan Murad IV

 

Sultan Murad IV's Ascends the Ottoman Throne

On this day, 10 September, 1623 AD, began the reign of the 17th Ottoman Sultan: Murad IV and ended the second reign of the 15th Ottoman Sultan, Mustafa I. Sultan Murad IV was the 9th Ottoman Caliph and the son of the 14th Ottoman Sultan, Ahmed I, whom the Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque (opposite Ayasofya) is named after.

Although Murad IV didn't really inherit the throne until much later, when he was just 11 years old, he is credited with re-establishing the Ottoman state's authority. His mother ruled during his early reign. During this period, lawlessness and instability fueled public disillusionment with the central authority. Spahis and Janissaries plotted the assassination of officials, while unscrupulous bureaucrats demolished the administration.

Following Murad IV's succession in 1623, the Safavid Empire launched an attack on Iraq. Baghdad was retaken by Suleiman in 1534. In 1626, Jahangir considered an alliance of the Mughals, Ottomans, and Uzbeks, but he died in 1627. Shah Jahan afterwards formed an alliance with the Ottomans. In Baghdad, Murad IV and Shah Jahan exchanged presents and weaponry. Northern Turkey erupted in revolt. Janissaries rioted and assaulted the palace in November 1631, killing the Grand Vezir, Grand Mufti, and 13 officials. Murad IV's Grand Vezir was chosen by the Janissaries.

His reign is most known for the Ottoman-Safavid War, in which he successfully retook Baghdad in 1638 CE. The outcome of their wars also influenced the borders of what make up contemporary Turkey and Iran.

On May 17, 1639, the Ottoman-Safavid War came to a conclusion with the signing of the "Treaty of Zuhab," which broadly defined the boundaries of the two empires in compliance with the "Peace of Amasya" (1555). While Eastern Georgia, Eastern Armenia, Dagestan, and Azerbaijan remained under Persian rule, Western Georgia and Western Armenia, encompassing the entirety of Mesopotamia, remained under Ottoman rule. The lines essentially set the stage for the current borders between Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. 

Murad IV as a Great Lover of Arts and Architecture

Murad IV placed a high value on architecture, and throughout his reign, numerous monuments were built. Both the Baghdad Kiosk (1635) and the Revan Kiosk (1638) in Yerevan were constructed using regional architectural designs. The Meydan Mosque, the Kavak Saray Pavilion, the Bayram Pasha Dervish Lodge, Tomb, Fountain, and Primary School, as well as the Erafettin Mosque in Konya are a few of the additional structures.

Murad IV was a great lover of poems and he produced numerous poetry. For his poetry, he wrote under the pen name "Muradi". He also enjoyed puzzling others with puzzles. He once created a poetic puzzle and promised a big reward to anyone who could solve it. A poet from Enderun School named Cihadi Bey provided the right response, earning him promotion. Murad IV also composed music. He wrote a song titled "Uzzal Peshrev."

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