Murat III.

Sultan Murad III was born in Manisa, on 4th of July 1546. He was the son of Sultan Selim II and Afife Nur Banu Sultana who was Venetian originated. He was a gracious ruler, he had spoken Arabic and Persian fluently. After, his father ascended he was appointed as the governor of Manisa. He took lessons from the famous scholars of Manisa. He was one of the most intelligent sultans of the empire. After, his father's death he went to Istanbul and ascended the throne on 22nd December 1574. Like his father, he left the administration to Sokollu Mehmed Pasha. Sultan Murad III led a life of pleasures, he never left Istanbul during his reign and he was very much influenced by the women in the palace. The woman dynasty emerged in his period continued in the following years. The mothers and wives of the sultans began to dominate the empire. He ascended the throne at the age of 29 and reigned for nearly 21 years. He died because of apoplexy on 15th January 1595. With Sokollu Mehmed Pasha's successful administrations, the Ottomans gained power. The territories extended to 19.902.000 km square. The relations with protestant Britain had been improved against a Catholic unity led by the Pope, and, later Holland joined the Ottoman-Britain alliance. First British capitulation was given and Britain sent a permanent ambassador to Istanbul. Murad III was a pious man who Ied a Iife in accordance with the tenets of the Sharia. He embraced humility and avoided sin. He enjoyed the conversation of scholars and theologians, and on holy nights he used to pray to God for the goodwill of his people. His complexion was of a reddish white hue. He was tall and his shoulders and body were well proportioned. His forehead was broad and wide, his arms muscular. He was truly a man whose inner qualities as well as outer appearance gave evidence of a saintly and pure character. His turban was wrapped around a magnificent and high mücevveze, similar to that of the Abbasid Caliphs. Like his ancestors, he devoted himself to the protection and improvement of the Ottoman institutions and administration. Since he inclined towards mysticism, he used to respect religious orders and their leaders.

His Wifes : Safiye Mother Sultana, Shems-i Ruhsar Haseki, Shah-i Huban Haseki, Naz-perver Haseki
His Sons: Mehmed III, Selim Bayezid, Mustafa, Osman, Cihangir, Abdullah, Abdurrahman, Abdullah, Hasan, Ahmed, Yakub, Alemsah, Yusuf, Huseyin, Korkud, Ali, Ishak, Omer, Alauddin, Davud.
His Daughters: Ayse, Fatma, Mihrimah, Fahriye