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
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