Sultan Mehmed III, born in 1566 in Manisa as the son of Sultan Murad III and Safiye Valide Sultan, was the 13th ruler of the Ottoman Empire and the 92nd Caliph of Islam.
His name, Sultan Mehmed, was given to him personally by his grandfather, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, during Suleiman's final campaign at the Siege of Szigetvár. Drawing inspiration from his great-grandfather, Sultan Mehmed III's name was chosen in honor of the illustrious legacy of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
During his princely years, Sultan Mehmed received a strong education from scholars like Pir Mehmed Azmi Efendi and Manisali Ä°brahil Cafer Efendi. Thanks to being the eldest son of Sultan Murad III and influenced by Safiye Sultan, he enjoyed a comfortable princely period, even having a circumcision celebration that lasted for 57 days.
At the age of 9, Prince Mehmed arrived in Istanbul and later, in 1584, he returned to Manisa to take on administrative duties. He served in Manisa for 12 years.
Upon his father's death in January 1595, he ascended the throne after coming from Manisa. Immediately after his accession, adhering to the grim tradition of fratricide, he ordered the drowning of his 19 brothers in a single night. This mass execution of mostly infant princes was met with disapproval from the public, and Sultan Mehmed III became infamous for his cruelty in Ottoman history. Even the 35th Ottoman Sultan, Sultan Mehmed ReÅŸat, is known to have avoided visiting Sultan Mehmed III's tomb, saying he wouldn't visit the tomb of a baby killer.
Although he ordered the execution of all his brothers, Sultan Mehmed spared his maternal uncle Yahya, who was of foreign origin. He was taken by his mother to Macedonia and placed in a church. As he grew up, Yahya, claiming rights to the Ottoman throne, later led an unsuccessful rebellion.
Reigning at the age of 29, Sultan Mehmed III inherited a throne facing both internal uprisings and an ongoing war with Austria.
While Bucharest was captured, the Ottoman army suffered a heavy defeat at Yergöğü. The fall of significant strongholds like Esztergom and Visegrád had a sobering effect in the capital. The Janissaries now demanded to see the Sultan leading the army. Sultan Mehmed III, with the counsel of Hoca Sadettin Efendi, decided to personally lead the campaign. When his mother Safiye Sultan objected, he is said to have retorted, "If we won't lead the army into battle, why did we gird our swords at Eyüp Sultan?" This campaign proved successful; the Uyvar campaign resulted in victory, Eger was conquered, and he was bestowed the title of "Eger Conqueror" (October 12, 1596).
Shortly after the capture of Eger Fortress, on October 15, 1596, a large allied European army confronted the Ottoman forces. With the help of fortunate circumstances, the Ottoman army won the Battle of Keresztes. In the initial phase, the Ottoman troops quickly withdrew due to heavy rifle fire. Rumors of the Sultan leaving the field played a significant role in this rapid withdrawal. The allied European army, thinking they had won, attempted to plunder. The service class, mainly consisting of cooks and stablemen, remained on the battlefield and launched a fierce resistance with pots and ladles, successfully repelling the attacking forces. Thanks to this unconventional victory, the Battle of Keresztes is also known as the "Battle of Pots and Ladles."
Sultan Mehmed III was the first Sultan to personally lead a campaign since Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. He believed that by doing so, he was reviving the tradition established by his father Sultan Murad III and grandfather Sultan Selim II.
The defense of Kanije by Tiryaki Hasan Pasha took place during his reign. Archduke Ferdinand suffered a severe defeat in front of Kanije Castle.
With this conquest, the Ottoman Empire reached its largest territorial extent. However, shortly after this successful campaign, the Celali Rebellions erupted in Anatolia, which would occupy the state for years.
Meanwhile, in the western front, the war with Iran, which had been silent for a while, reignited. Shah Abbas broke the treaty signed with the Safavids in 1590 and reclaimed Tebriz for Iran. Taking advantage of the Ottoman state's preoccupation with the Celali Rebellions, Shah Abbas saw an opportunity and broke the peace. The war with Iran was ongoing when Sultan Mehmed III passed away in 1603.
He was buried in the tomb next to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, following the tradition of his father and grandfather. Another significant aspect of Sultan Mehmed III's legacy is that he was the last Ottoman prince to go from being a provincial governor (sancak) to becoming Sultan. After him, princes would stay in the palace and would not have external contacts until the Tanzimat period. It is known that Sultan Mehmed III was heavily influenced by his mother Safiye Sultan. Described as a pious ruler, Sultan Mehmed III is depicted as a courageous and bold Sultan who enjoyed hunting and was always seen with a sword.
His eldest son Mahmud was his successor. Mahmud, a brave prince, expressed his intention to request an army from his father to suppress the Celali rebellions in Anatolia, but his request was not granted. It is believed that Safiye Sultan directed her son Sultan Mehmed to prevent Mahmud from coming to Istanbul and declaring himself Sultan after suppressing the rebellion. Following this, a letter surfaced in which Prince Mahmud inquired about information regarding his accession to the throne from a fortune teller. In what is thought to be an action influenced by Safiye Sultan, Sultan Mehmed III ordered the drowning of his son Mahmud. (June 7, 1603)
Despite all this, when state affairs were going poorly, he became so distressed that he refrained from eating and drinking. It is generally stated that his sadness, especially his fratricide upon ascending the throne and the subsequent drowning of his eldest son Mahmud, had a significant impact on his demeanor.
Sultan Mehmed III's Death
On October 27, 1603, while returning from a tomb visit, a dervish told him to mark the day, as a significant event would occur in 56 days. Sultan Mehmed III's illness worsened, and at the age of 37, he passed away on December 21, 1603. It is believed that he died of a heart attack.
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