Sultan Ahmed I (1590-1617) was the 14th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the 93rd Caliph of Islam. His father was Sultan Mehmed III, and his mother was Valide Sultan Handan. He was born in Manisa while his father was serving as a Provincial Governor.
Ahmed I ascended to the throne at the young age of 13 after his father's passing. He is known as one of the most involved sultans in state affairs since Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Ahmed I gained prominence in Ottoman history primarily for his marriage to Kösem Sultan and their six children. He achieved significant feats during his reign. The empire was in conflict on both its eastern and western borders, with Ottoman forces conducting campaigns in the Balkans. On October 3, 1605, the important fortress of Estergon Castle was captured. However, the conflicts with Austria in the Balkans during this period strained both the army and the economy. Therefore, Sultan Ahmed negotiated a profitable agreement with Austria, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Zitvatorok in 1606, considered the most beneficial treaty of this stagnation period.
In the east, he put an end to the RamazanoÄŸlu principality in Cyprus and Aleppo (1608). He launched raids against the Safavids, attempting to reduce their influence. Peace was eventually established with the Safavid Empire through the Nasuh Pasha Treaty in 1615.
Internally, he dealt with the Celali Rebellions, eventually suppressing them in Anatolia.
Ahmed I also implemented significant changes in the Ottoman succession system, replacing the old system that allowed fratricide with the "kafes" system. This system aimed to prevent fratricide and palace intrigues, ensuring that the prince who was next in line in terms of capability would ascend the throne after the Sultan's death.
However, the kafes system had its disadvantages. Princes grew up in seclusion and under the watchful eyes of guards, leading to a more sheltered upbringing. They became distant from state affairs, and the vast Ottoman Empire seemed distant to them. Additionally, many princes who went through the kafes system ascended the throne at an advanced age.
When Ahmed I became Sultan on December 21, 1603, he was only 13 years old and had not yet undergone circumcision. He was circumcised after ascending the throne. Ahmed I left a lasting mark on Ottoman history due to his introduction of the kafes system, officially known as the "ekber and erÅŸad" system. This system prioritized the eldest and most capable prince within the family for succession.
Raised by a mother who provided him with a good education and influenced by her, Ahmed I became a devout ruler. His 14-year reign left behind significant architectural legacies, with the Sultan Ahmed Mosque being one of the most notable.
Sultan Ahmed I, beloved by the people, passed away at the age of 27 due to typhus on November 21/22, 1617. He was laid to rest in the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, which stands as one of the prominent symbols of Istanbul today.
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