Ibrahim (born November 5, 1615 – died August 18, 1648) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1640 to 1648. He was born in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). His father was Sultan Ahmed I, and his mother was Kösem Sultan, who was originally from Greece.

Ibrahim was sometimes called Ibrahim the Mad (Deli İbrahim). This was because of some of his behaviors and health issues. However, some historians believe that his enemies spread rumors about his mental state. They suggest he might have been more inexperienced or struggled with leadership rather than being truly mad.

Early Life of Sultan Ibrahim
Ibrahim's Time as Sultan
Removal from Power and Execution
Ibrahim's Family Life
Images for kids
See also

Early Life of Sultan Ibrahim

Ibrahim was born on November 5, 1615. He was the son of Sultan Ahmed I and his powerful wife, Kösem Sultan. When Ibrahim was only two years old, his father passed away suddenly. His uncle, Mustafa I, then became the new sultan.

During this time, Kösem Sultan and her children, including young Ibrahim, were sent to the Old Palace. After his brother Murad IV became sultan, Ibrahim was kept in the Kafes. The Kafes was a special part of the palace where princes lived in close confinement. This isolation affected his health and well-being. Ibrahim's other brothers had been executed by Murad's orders. Because of this, Ibrahim feared he would be next. However, after his brother Murad's death, Ibrahim became the new Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

Ibrahim's Time as Sultan

Becoming Sultan: A New Beginning

Ibrahim spent most of his early life confined in the Kafes. This was before he became sultan in 1640, after his brother Murad IV died. Murad had executed three of their brothers. This made Ibrahim live in constant fear of being killed next. His mother, Kösem Sultan, helped save his life.

When Murad died, Ibrahim was the only surviving prince of the royal family. The Grand Vizier (a chief minister), Kemankeş Kara Mustafa Pasha, asked Ibrahim to become sultan. Ibrahim was suspicious. He thought Murad might still be alive and trying to trick him. It took a lot of convincing from his mother and the Grand Vizier. He even had to see his brother's dead body before he finally accepted the throne.

First Years of Leadership

In the early part of his rule, Ibrahim often stayed away from political matters. He spent more time in his harem, which was the private part of the palace. During his time as sultan, the harem became very luxurious. It had many expensive perfumes, fabrics, and jewels. He was very fond of furs. He even had a room decorated entirely with lynx and sable furs.

Kara Mustafa Pasha remained the Grand Vizier for the first four years of Ibrahim's reign. He helped keep the Ottoman Empire stable. In 1642, he made a peace treaty with Austria. He also took back the city of Azov from the Cossacks. Kara Mustafa worked to improve the economy. He reformed the money system and tried to make land surveys. He also reduced the number of Janissaries (elite soldiers) and removed people who were not contributing from the government payroll.

During these years, Ibrahim showed interest in governing the empire well. This can be seen in his messages to the Grand Vizier. Kara Mustafa even wrote a guide on public affairs to help his new sultan. Ibrahim's responses showed he had a good education. Ibrahim often went out in disguise to check the markets in Istanbul. He would then tell the Grand Vizier to fix any problems he saw.

Challenges and Changes in Rule

Ibrahim often suffered from headaches and felt physically weak. These issues might have been caused by the stress of his early life. Since he was the only male member left in the Ottoman family, his mother, Kösem Sultan, encouraged him to have many children. He soon had three sons who would later become sultans: Mehmed IV, Suleiman II, and Ahmed II.

Because Ibrahim was often busy with his private life, Kösem Sultan gained more power. She began to rule in his name. However, even she eventually lost favor with the Sultan and left the palace.

Ibrahim started to listen to people who gave him bad advice. These included Şekerpare Hatun, who managed the imperial harem, and a man named Cinci Hoca. Cinci Hoca claimed he could cure the Sultan's health problems. Cinci Hoca and his friends, Silahdar Yusuf Pasha and Sultanzade Mehmed Pasha, became very rich by taking bribes. They eventually gained enough power to have Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa executed. Cinci Hoca became a high judge, Yusuf Agha became the Grand Admiral, and Sultanzade Mehmed became the new Grand Vizier.

In 1644, pirates from Malta captured a ship carrying important pilgrims going to Mecca. Since the pirates had stopped in Crete, Kapudan Yusuf Pasha encouraged Ibrahim to invade the island. This started a long war with Venice that lasted 24 years. Crete did not fully become part of the Ottoman Empire until 1669. Even though Venice was declining, their ships won battles in the Aegean Sea. They captured Tenedos in 1646 and blocked the Dardanelles strait.

Kapudan Yusuf had some success by conquering Canea. This made him rivals with Nevesinli Salih Pasha, the new Grand Vizier. This rivalry led to Yusuf's execution in January 1646. The Grand Vizier was also removed from his position in December 1645.

With his friends in power, Ibrahim's spending habits grew out of control. He gave special titles and gifts of money and land to eight of his favorite companions. After he legally married one of them, Telli Haseki, he ordered the palace of Ibrahim Pasha to be covered in sable furs and given to her.

Removal from Power and Execution

People became very unhappy because Venetian ships were blocking the Dardanelles. This caused shortages of goods in the capital city. Also, heavy taxes were put in place to pay for Ibrahim's expensive habits during the war. In 1647, the Grand Vizier Nevesinli Salih Pasha, Kösem Sultan, and the religious leader şeyhülislam Abdürrahim Efendi tried to remove the sultan from power. They wanted to replace him with one of his sons. Their plan failed. Salih Pasha was executed, and Kösem Sultan was sent away from the palace.

The next year, the Janissaries (elite soldiers) and religious scholars revolted. On August 8, 1648, the corrupt Grand Vizier Hezarpare Ahmed Pasha was attacked and killed by an angry crowd. On the same day, Ibrahim was captured and imprisoned in Topkapı Palace. Kösem Sultan agreed to her son's removal. She said, "He will eventually kill both you and me. We will lose control of the government. Society is falling apart. He must be removed from the throne immediately."

Ibrahim's six-year-old son, Mehmed, was made the new sultan. The new Grand Vizier, Sofu Mehmed Pasha, asked the sheikh ul-Islam for a religious ruling (a fatwā) to allow Ibrahim's execution. It was granted, with the message, "if there are two caliphs, kill one of them." Kösem Sultan also agreed. Two executioners were sent, including the chief executioner who had worked for Ibrahim. As they approached, Ibrahim reportedly said, "Is there no one among those who have eaten my bread who will take pity on me and protect me? These cruel men have come to kill me. Mercy! Mercy!" His mother, Kösem Sultan, and other officials watched from a palace window as Ibrahim was killed on August 18, 1648. His death was only the second time an Ottoman sultan had been killed in the empire's history.

Ibrahim's Family Life

Ibrahim I had eight main companions, called Haseki Sultans. This was unusual because usually there was only one Haseki at a time. This showed that the title was becoming less exclusive. He also had many other companions, though not all of their names are known. Only Şivekar Sultan and Hümaşah Sultan (who also became his legal wife) had real political influence over him. Ibrahim was known for having strong but short-lived interests in women. He would sometimes have his agents bring women he saw in the city to his palace.

A miniature painting of Sultan Ibrahim.

Ibrahim's Companions

Ibrahim I had eight Haseki Sultans. His last Haseki also became his only legal wife. He also had many other known and unknown companions.

All of Ibrahim's Hasekis received a daily allowance. Ibrahim also gave large incomes from different regions to some of his Haseki Sultans. He gave the wealth of Egypt to Saçbağlı Sultan and Hümaşah Sultan. He also gave the Ibrahim Pasha Palace to Hümaşah. His known companions included:

Turhan Sultan: She was the first Haseki and the mother of Mehmed IV. She later became a very powerful mother of the sultan (Valide Sultan) and ruled as a regent. She was from Russia. After her son became sultan, she protected Ibrahim's other children from being executed. This helped end the old rule of killing brothers to secure the throne.
Saliha Dilaşub Sultan: She was the second Haseki and the mother of Suleiman II. She was Ibrahim's first companion. She was from Serbia.
Muazzez Sultan: She was the third Haseki and the mother of Ahmed II. She passed away before her son became sultan, so she was never Valide Sultan.
Ayşe Sultan: The fourth Haseki, named in January 1645. She was of Tatar origin.
Mahienver Sultan: The fifth Haseki, first mentioned in May 1646. She was of Circassian origin.
Saçbağlı Sultan: The sixth Haseki. She was of Circassian origin.
Şivekar Sultan: The seventh Haseki. She was known as "the fattest woman in the capital." She was one of only two of Ibrahim's companions who were active in politics. She was of Armenian descent.
Hümaşah Sultan: The eighth Haseki and Ibrahim's only legal wife. After their wedding, she was called Telli Haseki. She was of Georgian or Circassian descent. She was also one of only two of Ibrahim's companions who were active in politics. Years after Ibrahim's death, in 1672, she remarried.
Zafire Hatun: A Georgian companion. She became pregnant while Ibrahim was still a prince, which was against palace rules. Kösem Sultan, Ibrahim's mother, ordered her to be killed. However, a palace official hid her. She gave birth to a son. Kösem then exiled them to Egypt, but their ship was attacked. The child was saved and taken to Malta. What happened to Zafire is not known.
Hubyar Hatun: One of the companions Ibrahim was very interested in for a short time. She was later allowed to leave the palace and marry.
Şekerpare Hatun: She was one of Ibrahim’s companions. She later became a close friend, treasurer, and hostess in the harem.
Sakizula Hatun.
Şekerbanu Hatun.
Hatice Hatun.
The wife of the Grand Vizier Hezarpare Ahmed Paşah: Ibrahim became interested in her and forced her to divorce her husband. In return, Ahmed Pasha and his son were given daughters of Ibrahim to marry.
The daughter of Şeyhülislam Muid Ahmed Efendi: Ibrahim reportedly wanted her for his palace. Her father objected, so the sultan had her taken from the baths. She was later sent home.

Ibrahim's Sons

Ibrahim I had at least ten sons:

(Şehzade) Fülan (born before 1640, Constantinople): This son was conceived while Ibrahim was still a prince, which was against palace rules. Kösem Sultan, Ibrahim's mother, ordered the pregnant mother to be killed. She was saved and gave birth to a son. This child became known as "the bastard of the black eunuch." Kösem then exiled them to Egypt, but their ship was attacked. The child was taken to Malta, where he was declared an "Ottoman prince." He later became a Christian and preached as "Ottoman Father."
Mehmed IV (born January 2, 1642, Constantinople – died January 6, 1693, Edirne): Son of Turhan Sultan. He became the 19th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Suleiman II (born April 15, 1642, Constantinople – died June 22, 1691, Edirne): Son of Saliha Dilaşub Sultan. He became the 20th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Ahmed II (born February 25, 1643, Constantinople – died February 6, 1695, Edirne): Son of Muazzez Sultan. He became the 21st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Şehzade Murad (born April 1643, Constantinople – died January 16, 1644, Constantinople).
Şehzade Selim (born March 19, 1644, Constantinople – died September 1669, Constantinople or Edirne). He lived and died in the Kafes.
Şehzade Osman (born August 1644, Constantinople – died 1646, Constantinople).
Şehzade Bayezid (born May 1, 1646, Constantinople – died August 1647, Constantinople).
Şehzade Cihangir (born December 14, 1646, Constantinople – died December 1, 1648, Constantinople): Son of Şivekar Sultan.
Şehzade Orhan (born October 1648, Constantinople – died January 1650, Constantinople): Son of Hümaşah Sultan.

At one point, Ibrahim showed great affection for the infant son of a servant. He even seemed to prefer this child over his own son, Mehmed. Turhan, Mehmed's mother, became very upset. She expressed her anger to Ibrahim. In a fit of rage, Ibrahim took Mehmed from Turhan's arms and threw him into a pool. Mehmed would have drowned if a servant had not quickly rescued him. He was left with a permanent scar on his forehead.

Ibrahim's Daughters

Ibrahim I had at least ten daughters:

Safiye Sultan (born 1640, Constantinople): She married Baki Bey, the son of the Grand Vizier Hezarpare Ahmed Paşah.
Fatma Sultan (born between September and December 1642, Constantinople – died 1657): She married Musahip Silahdar Yusuf Paşah in 1645. He was executed in 1646. A month later, her father married her to Musahib Fazlı Paşa, but Ibrahim exiled him and had them divorce a few months later. She was buried in the Yeni Valide mosque. Turhan Sultan looked after her grave.
Gevherhan Sultan (born 1642, Constantinople – died October 27, 1694, Edirne): She married three times: to Cafer Pasha in 1646, to Admiral Çavușzade Mehmed Pasha, and to Helvacı Yusuf Pasha in 1692.
Beyhan Sultan (born 1645, Constantinople – died September 15, 1700): She married four times: to Kücük Hasan Pasha in 1646, to Grand Vizier Hezarpare Ahmed Pasha in 1647, to Uzun Ibrahim Pasha, and to Bıyıklı Mustafa Pasha in 1689. She had a son from her fourth marriage.
Ayşe Sultan (born 1646, Constantinople – died 1675, Cairo): She married two times. She married Defterdar Ibrahim Paşah, governor of Cairo, and became a widow in 1664. She then married her cousin, the governor of Buda and Cairo, Sultanzade Canbuladzade Hüseyn Pasha.
Atike Sultan (Constantinople – died around 1683): She married three times: to Sarı Kenan Pasha in 1648, to Boşnak İsmail Pasha in 1659, and to Gürcü Mehmed Pasha in 1665.
Kaya Sultan (Constantinople – ?): She married Haydarağazade Mehmed Paşa in 1649. He was executed in 1661.
Ümmügülsüm Sultan (Constantinople – died 1654): She was also called Ümmi Sultan. She married Abaza Ahmed Pasha in 1653. She died soon after the wedding.
Bican Sultan (Constantinople – ?): She was offered in marriage to Kuloğlu Musahip Mustafa Paşah, but he refused her. She then married Cerrah Kasım Paşah in January 1666.
Hatice Sultan (Constantinople – Constantinople): She died as an infant.

Images for kids

A miniature painting of Sultan Ibrahim.

Ibrahim of the Ottoman Empire facts for kids

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