MURAD IV

Born Istanbul 1612.
Died Istanbul 1640.

Ottoman sultan from 1623 to 1640 whose heavy-handed rule put an end to prevailing lawlessness and rebelliousness and who is renowned as the conqueror of Baghdad.

He came to the throne at age of 11, ruled for several years through the regency of his mother Kösem and a series of grand viziers.

Effective rule remained in the hands of the turbulent sipahis (quasi-feudal cavalry) and the Janissaries who more the once forced the execution of high officials. Corruption of government officials and rebellions in the Asiatic provinces, coupled with an empty treasury, perpetuated the discontent against the central government.

Embittered by the excesses of the troops Murad was determined to restore order both in Istanbul and in the provinces. In 1632 the sipahis had invaded the palace and demanded (an got) the heads of the grand vizier and 16 other high officials. Soon thereafter he gained full control and acted swiftly and ruthlessly. He suppressed the mutineers with a bloody ferocity. He banned the use of tobacco and closed the coffeehouses and the wineshops (no doubt as nests of sedition); violators or mere suspects were executed.

In his foreign policy Murad IV took personal command in the continuing was against Iran and set out to win back territories lost to Iran earlier in his reign. Baghdad was reconquered in 1638 after a siege that ended in a massacre of garrison and citizens alike.
In the following year peace was concluded.

A man of courage, determination and violent temperament, he did not follow closely the precepts of the Shari´ah (Islamic law) and was the first Ottoman sultan to execute a shaykhal-Islam (the highest Muslim dignitary in the empire).
He was able to restore order and to straighten out state finances.
A warrior and man of powerful physique, untimely death was caused by his addiction to alcohol.