Sultan IV. Mustafa (1779-1808) was the son of Ayşe Sultan and the first son of Sultan Abdulhamid I. He ascended the throne at the age of 28, becoming the 29th Ottoman Sultan and the 108th Islamic Caliph.
It is not known whether he was initially opposed to reforms or if he came to power under the influence of a group against reforms. However, during the reign of Sultan Selim III, whom he succeeded, it is known that he opposed the reforms. Unlike previous princes, Sultan Selim III, who was younger than him, had taken great interest in him during his princely years and placed special emphasis on his education. He enjoyed a relatively free period of princely life in the palace.
IV. Mustafa was brought to the throne at the age of 28 after the dethronement of Sultan Selim III due to the Kabakçı Halil rebellion (May 29, 1807). Following events such as the rise of rebellious figures like Kabakçı Halil and the disbandment of the Nizam-ı Cedid army, the Ottoman central administration experienced a decline.
On the second day of his reign, Sultan IV. Mustafa signed an unprecedented agreement in Ottoman history. According to this agreement, the revolutionaries who had overthrown Sultan Selim III would not face any punishment, and they pledged not to rebel against the new Sultan again. The ongoing Russo-Turkish War, which had been ongoing for 2 years, was also ended with a treaty. Following this, survivors of the Nizam-ı Cedid supporters formed an entity called the "Rusçuk Ayanı" in Rusçuk, and they decided to overthrow the government in Istanbul.
Their goal, if successful, was to reinstate Sultan Selim III. Some of them came to Istanbul, established contact with Sultan IV. Mustafa, convinced him that they would rescue him from the rebels, and persuaded him to believe that they needed to come to Istanbul with an army for this purpose. Alemdar Mustafa Pasha arrived in Edirne with the rebel army and successfully deceived the Grand Vizier. He was welcomed by the Sultan in Davut Pasha Palace. On the morning of July 28, 1808, when they arrived in front of Topkapi Palace with his forces, Sultan IV. Mustafa realized he had been tricked and ordered the execution of Sultan Selim III, who was imprisoned in the palace, and his brother Prince Mahmud. However, Prince Mahmud managed to escape with the help of his tutors, and later he was enthroned. However, former Sultan Selim III was killed. If Prince Mahmud had also been killed, it would have meant the end of the Ottoman dynasty.
Sultan IV. Mustafa's reign lasted for 14 months, making him the second shortest-reigning Ottoman Sultan. Significant concessions were made to the Janissaries during his reign. He is known for his irritable, ruthless, and temperamental nature. Additionally, IV. Mustafa is known for his opposition to reforms. When Sultan Mahmud II was declared Sultan, he was placed under house arrest in the palace, and on November 17, 1808, fearing an attempt to reinstall him with the support of the Janissaries, Sultan Mahmud II obtained a fatwa from the Shaykh al-Islam and had him strangled.
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