Before delving into the challenges Sultan Murad II faced regarding the name Mustafa, let's first explore the powerful reign of Murad, the 5th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Sultan Murad II, the father of the renowned Fatih Sultan Mehmed, is often overshadowed. Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror of Istanbul and arguably the most successful ruler of the empire, is well-known. Sultan Murad II was the father of Sultan Mehmed II. After Padişah Çelebi Mehmed, also known as Sultan Çelebi Mehmed, prevented further disintegration during the Interregnum period following Yıldırım Bayezid's defeat by Timur, he established unity in the empire and, upon his passing, passed the throne to his son, Sultan Murad II. Due to Çelebi Mehmed's strategic moves during the Interregnum, he is considered the second founder of the Ottoman Empire.
When Sultan Murad II ascended the throne (on June 25, 1421, at the age of 17 with the support of the Janissaries), the fate of the country hung by a thread. His father, Mehmet, had even left a testament, instructing, "Conceal my death until my son Murat arrives from the front (Amasya) to Bursa." There are even accounts suggesting attempts to display his corpse by tying it with a rope after his passing. Sultan Murad faced threats from both Byzantium and the Karamanids, as well as other Balkan states. The greatest danger, however, was internal.
THE IMPOSTOR MUSTAFA INCIDENT
Upon his accession, Sultan Murad II revealed Byzantium's trump card: Prince Mustafa, one of Yıldırım Bayezid's lost sons, was held captive on the island of Limnos by Byzantium. Prince Mustafa thus became Sultan Murad's uncle.
Byzantium offered Mustafa the condition of leaving the Gallipoli region to them and promised support. The Roman Emperor II. Manuel Palaiologos declared that he would recognize Mustafa, not Murad, as the new Ottoman Sultan.
Meanwhile, Mustafa didn't stay idle. He persuaded İzmir's Bey Cüneyt to join his army. After convincing other lords in the Thrace region, Mustafa established a foothold near Edirne.
Sultan Murad II, recognizing the power of propaganda, immediately launched an intense anti-Mustafa propaganda campaign in his country. The news that Mustafa was not the true son of Yıldırım Bayezid was constantly circulated among the Ottoman populace, and he came to be known as "Impostor Mustafa." Even today, the debate over whether Mustafa was Yıldırım's legitimate son continues, but the belief in its authenticity persists.
Before Mustafa could make a move, Sultan Murad had already persuaded İzmir's Bey Cüneyt in the background, a fact unknown to Mustafa. Mustafa's army, initially reluctant to fight in Anatolia, found the Balkans more appealing.
Thinking himself invincible, Mustafa made a grave mistake during his campaign. He had become so enamored with his rule and believed he had everything under control that he declared to Byzantium, "The Gallipoli agreement is null and void. Everything will stay with me." Naturally, Byzantium withdrew its support from the ongoing campaign. Additionally, Giovanni Adorno, the podestà of Foça, promised to prepare soldiers and ships for Sultan Murad in exchange for the forgiveness of his debts owed to the Ottomans. Genoese assistance played a crucial role in Sultan Murad's victory.
Mustafa suffered a defeat at the Battle of Ulubat, and in the ensuing rout, he fled to Edirne. Sultan Murad pursued him, and upon arriving in Edirne, the populace declared their allegiance to Murad. Despite attempting to escape with the treasury of Edirne, Mustafa was captured in the Tunca Valley and his adventure came to an end (1422).
Sultan Murad II, while ending the threat by killing his uncle, was not appeased. Byzantium, which supported Impostor Mustafa, would further infuriate Murad with another Mustafa scheme.
THE LITTLE MUSTAFA AFFAIR
Byzantium, upon the siege of Istanbul, sends word to Sultan Murad II's brother Mustafa, introducing another Mustafa nuisance into Murad's life. Backed by the Germiyanids and the Karamanid Beylik, Little Mustafa, taking advantage of the fact that a significant portion of the army was on the Istanbul campaign, besieges Bursa but fails to succeed. Subsequently, he enters Ä°znik and captures the city. He proclaims himself ruler in Ä°znik.
Upon hearing the news, Sultan Murad II, thinking, "What further troubles do I endure from my Mustafas," lifts the siege of Istanbul and marches with his army to Ä°znik, where he has his own brother Mustafa captured and executed.
Due to the uprisings involving his uncle and his brothers named Mustafa, it is rumored that Sultan Murad II forbade the naming of newborns as Mustafa.
In 1425, he launched a campaign to İzmir, defeating Cüneyt Bey, who had assisted his uncle in the Impostor Mustafa incident, and had him and his entire family executed.
Sultan Murad II was one of the significant rulers of his era, overseeing important achievements. He voluntarily abdicated, making him the only Ottoman Sultan to do so. This reflects a personality that doesn't cling to power. However, it is said that the consecutive sorrows of defeat in the Balkans and the loss of his beloved son Alâeddin heavily influenced his decision to abdicate. His life events could potentially lead those who read about them into a state of depression. Despite this, Sultan Murad had a great fondness for music and entertainment. His palace was always filled with musicians from all around. But when it came to war, he left everything behind. He was a highly disciplined individual, especially when it came to ensuring the army didn't accumulate debts, especially during campaigns.
During his reign, he commissioned the most works of any Ottoman Sultan, possibly even the most in history. His palace became a center of learning. He placed great importance on Turkish identity and the Kayı tribe's lineage. This was thought to be a strategy to draw Turkmen tribes in the region to his side due to the looming Mongol and Iranian threats. From his era onwards, the Ottoman lineage was traced back to the Kayı tribe. He had numerous works written in foreign languages translated into Turkish.
Considering all this, it can be said that Fatih Sultan Mehmed's empire-building had an incredible foundation thanks to the stability created by Sultan Murad II.
References: Encyclopedia of Islam
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