Sultan Ibrahim I (1615-1648) was the son of Sultan Ahmed I and his mother was Kösem Sultan. He was the 18th Ottoman Sultan and the 97th Islamic Caliph. His reign lasted for 8 years. Sultan Ibrahim is often referred to as "Mad Ibrahim" in Ottoman history, although various historians argue that this is highly inaccurate.
There are two contrasting views about Sultan Ibrahim. Some claim he was deeply devout and religious, while others assert that he was a Sultan indulging in pleasure and women.
The truth is, Sultan Ibrahim grew up in a palace filled with intrigues from a young age. After his brother Sultan Murad IV ascended the throne, he had his other two brothers killed. He spared Prince Ibrahim's life, convincing Sultan Murad IV that he was mentally unstable. After this, Prince Ibrahim lived in constant fear of being killed and was kept confined in the palace, leading to a severely disturbed personality. In fact, in 1640, when they told him that Sultan Murad had passed away and the palace now belonged to him, he thought it was a ruse and a deceit, exclaiming that he didn't want the throne and was content with Sultan Murad.
Upon ascending the throne on February 8, 1640, Sultan Ibrahim was heavily influenced by his mother Kösem Sultan in matters of governance. However, his existing health issues prompted Kösem Sultan to bring in new concubines and hire occultists to try and cure him. The strict discipline enforced by Sultan Murad IV had partially stabilized the country, but Sultan Ibrahim's more lenient attitude and incorrect decisions led to a return of disorder and Janissary oppression.
During his reign, Sultan Ibrahim launched a campaign against Germany, forcing Austria to renew the Treaty of Zitvatorok. He then sent an army to Girit (Crete) due to the aggressive policies of the Knights of St. John in the Aegean and Mediterranean, marking the beginning of the siege of Girit during his rule.
In his first year of rule, the Emir Mirgünoğlu incident became famous. After Sultan Murad IV's conquest of Revan Castle in Iran, he allowed the castle's commander, Emir Mirgünoğlu, to stay in Istanbul. Mirgünoğlu settled in Emirgan, and after Sultan Murad's passing, he engaged in divisive activities among Muslims. Sultan Ibrahim subsequently captured and executed Mirgünoğlu, leading to rumors and propaganda portraying Sultan Ibrahim negatively and fostering hostilities against him.
Sultan Ibrahim frequently made sudden and harsh decisions, including executing his own Grand Vizier and later sending his mother into exile. Kösem Sultan was in exile when she assisted in her son's murder.
Following an uprising led by Sofu Mehmet Pasha, Sultan Ibrahim was captured in the palace, first imprisoned, and later drowned by the executioner Kara Ali. His remains were transferred to the tomb of his uncle, Sultan Mustafa I. His 7-year-old son, Mehmed IV, succeeded him.
It is worth noting that no Ottoman source states that Sultan Ibrahim was mentally unstable, excessively fond of women, or inclined towards lust. It is claimed that due to his European campaigns, Europeans constantly fabricated slanderous rumors about him, and debates on this topic continue.
After Sultan Ibrahim's assassination, there were uprisings among the people, which were forcefully suppressed. Those who loved the Sultan rebelled against those responsible for his death.
When he ascended the throne, there were no heirs in the Ottoman lineage besides himself. This is why in his early reign, his mother Kösem continuously sent him concubines in hopes of producing an heir. All subsequent Sultans after him were descendants of Sultan Ibrahim's lineage.
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