The Rise of a Child Sultan
After the death of Sultan Ibrahim, who was killed by a conspiracy of the Janissaries, the throne passed to his eldest son, Sultan Mahomet. At the time of his accession, the new Sultan was only nine years old. Because of his young age, the government could not be placed directly in his hands. Therefore, the care of his education and the administration of the empire were entrusted to his grandmother, the old Queen known as Kösem.
She was the widow of Sultan Ahmed and the mother of both Sultan Murat and Sultan Ibrahim. Through many years of experience in court affairs, she had gained great knowledge of government and power. For this reason, she was judged capable of guiding the empire during the Sultan’s minority.
The Ceremony of Inauguration
Soon after his father’s death, the young Sultan was taken to the Mosque of Eyüp, according to ancient custom. There, in a solemn and public ceremony, the sword of authority was fastened to his side. He was then formally proclaimed Emperor, and messengers were sent throughout the provinces to announce his reign. From that moment, Sultan Mahomet was acknowledged as ruler of all the Ottoman lands Daily Sofia Tour.
The Rule of the Grandmother
For a time, the old Queen governed the empire entirely according to her own will. She held the chief authority at court and directed all important matters of state. Her long practice in power made her confident, and she acted as if the government belonged to her by right.
However, this situation soon caused tension within the palace. The young Sultan’s mother, still shaken by the violent death of her husband, lived in constant fear. She worried not only for her own safety but also for the life and authority of her son. She suspected that the old Queen intended to remove the child Sultan in order to place another ruler on the throne whom she could more easily control.
Growing Fear and Secret Designs
As these fears increased, distrust grew between the two women. The court became divided, and secret plans were formed on both sides. The old Queen, driven by ambition and the desire to keep power, gathered supporters and companions who were loyal to her cause. Meanwhile, the Sultan’s mother sought allies to protect her son and secure his throne.
These hidden conflicts eventually led to open danger. The designs of the old Queen against her own grandchild became known, and events moved rapidly toward a tragic conclusion. The struggle for power within the palace would soon end in bloodshed, bringing death not only to the Queen herself but also to those who supported her ambitions.