During his reign, Sultan II. Mustafa, the 22nd Ottoman Sultan and 101st Islamic Caliph, made remarkable efforts in education, particularly in the field of knowledge.
Ascending the throne at the age of 31 after the death of his uncle, Sultan II. Süleyman, he promised to revive the Ottoman Empire and continue military successes. The first two years of his reign indeed saw significant achievements. He personally led the Ottoman army in successful campaigns against the Venetians at sea, reclaiming the island of Chios.
However, in his Third campaign, the Ottoman forces suffered a devastating defeat on the eastern bank of the Tisa river against the Austrian forces on September 11, 1697. This led to the Karlowitz Peace Treaty, where the Ottoman Empire ceded Hungary to Austria, Morea to Venice, and Podolia to Poland. The following year, Azov Fortress was surrendered to the Russians.
With these losses, the Black Sea ceased to be an Ottoman lake, and a new rival, Russia, emerged on the historical stage. Sultan II. Mustafa, who had renounced a life of luxury upon ascending the throne, withdrew into the Edirne Palace after enduring defeats and prolonged wars, cutting off his connections with the outside world. He was known for his skill in calligraphy, poetry, archery, and javelin throwing.
In 1703, during the Edirne Incident, thousands marching in Istanbul would convene a council in Edirne to decide which prince would become the Sultan. Due to Sultan II. Mustafa's increasing detachment from governance, discontent with the rule of Feyzullah Efendi, and his aggression towards the Russian-held Azov fortress since 1700, an army was sent from Istanbul to Edirne. Sultan II. Mustafa was deposed and shortly after, on December 29, 1703, he passed away. His remains were interred beside his father, Sultan IV. Mehmed.
Sultan II. Mustafa was the last Ottoman Sultan to personally lead his army into battle. Despite his efforts to emulate his ancestor, Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, and restore the country to its former glory, he was unsuccessful. The Karlowitz Treaty, signed during his reign, marked the first significant territorial losses for the Ottoman Empire.
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