11. Sultan Murad IV might have been made Sultan of the Ottoman Empire at the age of 11, but he was a ruthless as a tyrant could be
Murad IV was just 11 when he became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in 1623. But despite his young age, he was highly ruthless. Under him, internal stability was restored throughout the empire. What’s more, the young ruler also led his empire to war and the impact of his imperial ventures would be felt across the Caucasus for centuries. Indeed, the modern-day borders between Turkey, Iran and Iraq were largely drawn up during Muran’s reign, making him one of the most important teenagers in world history.
In the early 17th century, the Ottoman Empire was beset with intrigue and competition. Indeed, it was a palace conspiracy which overthrew Mustafa I and saw Murad installed in his place. At first, since he was just a child of 11, the Sultan’s mother was the real power behind the throne. However, from the age of 16, Murad started to assert his authority. He had his own brother-in-law executed on trumped-up charges. He also became increasingly authoritarian. Under him, alcohol, tobacco and even coffee was banned in Istanbul: being caught enjoying any of these ‘vices’ was a capital offence.
According to legend, Murad would patrol the streets of Istanbul in disguise. If he caught someone breaking the law, or even doing something he deemed offensive, he would reveal himself as the Sultan and then chop their head off on the spot. He also had a penchant for shooting arrows at innocent fishermen from the riverbanks. In the end, however, he avoided a bloody death himself. Murad IV died in 1640 at the age of just 27, most probably from cirrhosis. His dying wish that his own disabled brother be executed, thereby bringing the Ottoman line to an end, was ignored.
