Background
The younger brother of Mahmud I (1730-1754) and son of Mustafa II (1695–1703) and Valide Şehsuvar Sultan, he was born at Edirne Palace.
The younger brother of Mahmud I (1730-1754) and son of Mustafa II (1695–1703) and Valide Şehsuvar Sultan, he was born at Edirne Palace.
His mother was Şehsuvar Sultan, a Serbian valide sultan. Osman III lived most of his life as a prisoner in the palace, and as a consequence on becoming Sultan he had some behavioural peculiarities. Unlike previous Sultans, he hated music, and banished all musicians from the palace.
Also while living in the "kafes", the palace prison in the "harem", the part of the palace containing the women"s quarters, he developed a dislike for female company.
He would wear iron shoes in order to avoid encountering any women — they could hear him approach and disperse. He died at the Topkapı Palace, Constantinople.