Background
Süleyman I or Turkish Süleyman Muhteşem or Kanuni was born on 6th of November 1494 in Tabzon, Turkey to the Sultan Selim I and Aishe Hafsa of the Ottoman Empire. He was the only surviving son of the Sultan.
Süleyman I or Turkish Süleyman Muhteşem or Kanuni was born on 6th of November 1494 in Tabzon, Turkey to the Sultan Selim I and Aishe Hafsa of the Ottoman Empire. He was the only surviving son of the Sultan.
Süleyman’s father was a true believer of education. Süleyman received his early education from his grandmother. When Süleyman turned seven, he was sent to his grandfather in Istanbul where he received his formal education through well known scholar named Karakızoglu Hayreddin Hızır Efendi.
Besides learning war strategies and tricks, Süleyman was also introduced to theology, technology, history and literature. He stayed with his father after the brief years of education until the age of fifteen. When Süleyman expressed his interest in being a governor, he was sent to the province of Karahisar from Sarki and then to Bolu. He was later sent to Kefe.
Süleyman became sultan as a successor of his father in 1520 at the age of 26. He initiated his reign over the regions with crusades against the Christian power in Europe and Mediterranean region. He soon took over Belgrade in 1521 and by 1523, he had acquired Rhodes. This resulted in a heavy expansion of Ottoman Empire Süleyman belonged to. In 1526, in a battle against the Hungarians, Louis II was killed and thus Süleyman was able to break the military potency of Hungary. Hungary had a vacant throne there were several candidates who involved János Zápolya who was the lord of Transylvania, Ferdinand I, and the Habsburg archduke of Austria. Süleyman agreed to have the position given to János Zápolya under the influence of the native party. In 1529, Süleyman marched towards acquiring Vienna. There were several other campaigns that continued for the next few years. After the death of János Zápolya, Austrian forces tried to capture Hungary once again. Süleyman’s movement to crash this encounter the Austrian forces brought up three distinct Hungary. Ottoman Hungary along the middle the Danube which would remain under military operations by the Ottoman, Habsburg Hungary in the extreme west and north and Transylvania that would be ruled by the son of János Zápolya, John Sigismund. The war for Hungary continued until a treaty was signed in 1562 for peace. Süleyman initiated with three major operations against Persia. The first operation spanned for two years from 1534 wherein the Ottomans took over the reign of Erzurum and Iraq. The second operation began in 1548 brought the areas around Lake Van under Ottomans. The third operation took place in 1554 and ended in 1555. This operation showed signs of difficulty for the Ottomans to take over the Persian state of Safavid. A peace agreement was signed between the Ottomans and the Safavids in 1555 following the operation.
In 1551, Tripoli in North Africa was taken over by the Ottomans. Ottoman’s empire keep on extending far into the east and covering major countries including Egypt, Persia and the most part of Mediterranean Sea. Süleyman’s navy became the lead of the Red sea. Within his empire Süleyman was responsible for maintenance and the changes in the army and law. Along with the chivalry he exposed during several of his battles, Süleyman was also a poet and proficient goldsmith. Süleyman succumbed to death during a war with Austria in Hungary. After the death of Süleyman, he was taken to Istanbul where he was buried in the complex of Sulaymaniye Mosque. This was the biggest of Sinan’s burial chamber then. During his reign of 46 years of ruling the Ottoman realm from 1520 to 1566, Ottoman’s efforts helped to expand the empire territory to double its former size. Süleyman’s time facilitated the development of Istambul and much great architecture was created during the times which stick with the standards of the time. There were several new improvements performed in the city which included construction of new schools for the Muslims serving theological studies, new dams, bridges, Gardens and many others. Some of the most prominent edifices created during the time included Sehzadebasi Mosque, Cihangir Mosque, Haseki establishments, Sultan Selim Mosque. There were Turkish baths created by the consort of Sultan. It was during this high development time in Istanbul that Coffee houses were introduced to people while the whole city was being reconstructed.
The throne of Süleyman was taken over by his successor and his son Selim II. Süleyman was successful in being a great ruler and as a lawmaker brought many transformations to the Ottoman Empire. Some of them included the new taxing system wherein the amount of tax varied depending upon the person’s income. This tax system was very transparent and gained support from the public heavily. Süleyman also gained the appreciation of Jewish and Christian citizens who resided in the Ottoman Empire by creating protection laws for them. He also made it mandatory for the soldiers to make payments for the food or any other provisions they buy from their own land or enemy land. Süleyman’s reign created the path to several new developments and good improvements in the region and was highly admired by the locals.
The time of Süleyman’s rule was termed as the Golden age when the empire expanded in terms of territories and regional development. Through Süleyman, the army and the military power of the Ottoman Empire flourished greatly.
Süleyman created several laws and one of the most interesting ones includes that all Ottoman soldier will have to pay for the food and provision they buy in their own land as well as the enemy land. He also encouraged the trade with Safavid Empire. Süleyman was successful in bringing tax reforms. He removed the heavy taxes imposed on the people during his father’s rule and brought in transparent tax rates which varied depending on the person’s income. He also created protection laws for the Jewish and the Christian people living in the Ottoman Empire.
Through many laws that came up during the lifetime of Süleyman in the Ottoman Empire and the new developments that took place in the land made Süleyman as the victorious and triumphant leader for which he is remembered to this day.
Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, built by Mimar Sinan, Suleiman's chief architect.
Suleiman also became renowned for sponsoring a series of monumental architectural developments within his empire. The Sultan sought to turn Constantinople into the center of Islamic civilization by a series of projects, including bridges, mosques, palaces and various charitable and social establishments. The greatest of these were built by the Sultan's chief architect, Mimar Sinan, under whom Ottoman architecture reached its zenith. Sinan became responsible for over three hundred monuments throughout the empire, including his two masterpieces, the Süleymaniye and Selimiye mosques - the latter built in Adrianople (now Edirne) in the reign of Suleiman's son Selim II. Suleiman also restored the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem city walls (which are the current walls of the Old City of Jerusalem), renovated the Kaaba in Mecca, and constructed a complex in Damascus.
Süleyman was an Islamic emperor. Though there are very limited information on his religious beliefs, many great monuments and structures were created during his time in Istambul. This included Madrasas for Islamic education and prayer halls.
Süleyman was a great emperor who brought in several political and economic developments during his time in his regions.
Süleyman proved to be a great king through his achievements as an emperor and a ruler to his people. He believed in providing equal rights to all those in his reign. His creation of new laws which included rights for the Jews and the Christians proved his fairness to the people. He was able to expand his territories through his military and strategic skills.
He brought many transformations in law and architecture in Istanbul which displays his craving and view for development. The changes that he brought during his lifetime proved to be beneficial to the development of trade and commerce in the area. This shows that Süleyman ensured that he initiated and became part of most of the changes happening in his territories.
Quotations:
"An open mouth remains not hungry. I need Food, my ally. "
" What men call sovereignty is a worldly strife and constant war; Worship of God is the highest throne, the happiest of all estates."
For the huge expansion of land that he made in his 46 years of ruling career, he is remembered by the Europeans as Süleyman the Magnificent while the local Turkish people called him the lawmaker or ‘Kanuni’ in the local language. The economic and industrial progression of the land during the ruling time of Süleyman is termed as the Golden Age where there was less suffering. Süleyman’s influence was heavy on the rulers of other regions and this created security when his son became Sultan after the death of Süleyman.
Suleiman is considered to be one of the most significant rulers in Islam. His reign as an Emperor is considered to be a golden age. Suleiman tried to ensure that he brought in as many changes as possible in his territories to being in fairness and development of the people. He knew that only great changes could bring in great development.
Ottoman’s expansion of territory covered major parts of Iran in the east, North African ports and for a brief time, Ottoman’s army had taken over the control of the black sea. By the time Süleyman was dead he had expanded his reign greatly covering major parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Along with the territorial expansion, there was very high-end development in commerce, cultural and economy. The art of painting, areas in the trade of textile and ceramics improved greatly and the city of Istanbul welcomed itself with the new city plans which included the creation of several monuments and high-end architectural constructions. The construction included several mosques, schools, markets, baths, dams and bridges.
Süleyman ruled the land successful y and gained the trust of the local people. This made the throne much secure for his son after his death. Süleyman comes across as a confident and a good diplomat who lead more than ten military expeditions.
Suleiman was a brave warrior with a diplomatic heart. He was fond of art and architecture which can be seen in the developments he made during his time.
Physical Characteristics: Suleiman was tall with a thin face. His neck was found to be too long than of the usual size. His skin was pale and he had a beard and mustache.
Süleyman’s wife Hurrem Sultan was from Poland and owned the former name Aleksandra Lisowska. She was born in Rohatyn and was brought to Istanbul as a slave during one of the many voyages Süleyman carried out in his lifetime. Soon after she was brought to Haram she tried hard to get the affection of Süleyman and convinced him for marriage. Her power rose greatly after the marriage and she proved herself to be one of the most powerful women in the empire and initiated with the Sultanate of Women.
Hurrem bore four children including three sons and a daughter named Selim (son), Bayezid (son), Cihangir (son) and Mihrimah (daughter). Some claim that Selim though born of Hurrem is not the son of Süleyman. He went on and became the Sultan after the death of Süleyman. Cihangir was physically handicapped which made him unfit for the throne as per the law.
Other wives of Süleyman included Fulane Hatun, Gulfem Hatun and Mahidevran Kadın from whom Süleyman had four more sons from his other wives who included Abdullah, Murad, Mehmed, Mahmud, Mustafa and a daughter Raziye Sultan.
It is believed that Mustafa was the eldest of all sons but the second wife of Süleyman, Hurrem created a rumor stating that Mustafa was planning to get his father killed to take over his throne. In the year 1553, Süleyman called Mustafa to his army tent and strangled him to death securing the throne for Selim as per the wishes of Hurrem.
Süleyman’s daughter Mihrimah who was born in 1522 was very much cherished by the Sultan and he left no stone unturned in fulfilling her wishes. She was given a good education and was married to the Governor of Diyabakir Rustem Pasha. After the relationship became formal, he was promoted to being the Grand Vazir. Mihrimal had great political power which is depicted through her actions promising him to create 400 galleys at her personal expenditure and also through her act of lending 50,000 gold sovereigns to Sultan Selim after the death of Süleyman. She owned immense fortune and had several monuments and building constructed. She was also known for the charitable and social work he performed for the people.
Hurrem died in 1558 and was buried next to her husband in Istambul in the Suleymaniye mosque.
1470/1 – September 1520
Selim I, known as Selim the Grim or Selim the Resolute, was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1512 to 1520.
Died on 19 March 1534.
1500 – 3 February 1581
Mahidevran was a chief consort of Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire before Hürrem Sultan, and the mother of Şehzade Mustafa.
1502 – 15 April 1558
Hurrem Sultan, often called Roxelana, was the favourite and later the chief consort and legal wife of Ottoman Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. She had five children with Süleyman.
1512 – 1522
1513 - 1521
1515 – 6 October 1553
Şehzade Mustafa Muhlisi was the prince-governor of Manisa from 1533 to 1541, of Amasya from 1541 to 1549 and of Konya from 1549 to 1553. Şehzade Mustafa was the heir apparent to the Ottoman throne and a very popular prince among the army prior to his execution, by order of his father, which he later regretted.
1521–1543
Şehzade Mehmed was an Ottoman prince. He was assigned to rule in Manisa after his brother Şehzade Mustafa was sent to Amasya from there.
1522–1526
Şehzade Abdullah was an Ottoman prince.
28 May 1524 – 12/15 December 1574
Selim II, also known as "Selim the Sot (Mest)" or "Selim the Drunkard" and Sarı Selim "Selim the Blond", was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1566 until his death in 1574.
1525 – 25 September 1561
Şehzade Bayezid was an Ottoman prince.
9 December 1531– 27 November 1553
c. 1522 – 25 January 1578
Mihrimah Sultan was an Ottoman princess.
Raziye Sultan, also known as Tasasız Raziye Sultan, was an Ottoman princess.
